(MONTPELIER, VT) While Vermont is a national leader in the local food movement, there are still many in our state who don’t have access to, can’t afford, or don’t know how to make use of the food produced here. This includes one in five Vermont children who are food insecure because their families can’t reliably meet basic nutritional needs.
A new report from the Vermont Community Foundation highlights some successful efforts underway to bridge this gap and bring local food to a lot more Vermonters. At the same time groups are working to develop stable year-round markets for Vermont farmers at nearby schools, hospitals, and senior centers.
Local Food for Healthy Communities: Bringing Food Security to All Vermonters clearly spells out the challenges that farmers, institutions, and individuals are trying to overcome while building a sustainable and equitable food system, and offers some promising approaches and opportunities where philanthropy can make a difference. This includes some of the great work already under way–including Post Oil Solutions and the expansion of its Equitable Buying clubs and Harvest of the Month campaigns.It’s free and available at www.vermontcf.org
“There are many exemplary and innovative programs that reach food-insecure Vermonters,” said Vermont Community Foundation President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay. “Our new Farm and Food Initiative is helping them explore the most effective and creative ways to combine their work and reach every corner of the state.”
Through research, grants, and investments—and in partnership with funders and providers across the state—the Vermont Community Foundation will help Vermont develop a nationally-recognized food system that sustains local farmers and creates healthy communities for all Vermonters.
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The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and inspiring. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs and keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital. Together, its funds and programs provide more than $12 million a year in grants and other investments in Vermont. Visit www.vermontcf.org or call 802-388-3355 for more information.
August 23, 2013
CONTACT:
Emily Jacke, The Vermont Community Foundation
(802) 388-3355 x285, ejacke@vermontcf.org
Wings of Hope Butterfly Release to honor a lovedsupport Hospice
Please join us!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Colburn Park, Lebanon Green
Lebanon, NH
12-3 pm, Butterfly Release 1-2 pm
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Landmark College
Putney, VT
12-3 pm, Butterfly Release 1-2 pm
You’re invited to celebrate the memory of loved ones and raise funds to support local hospice care. For your donation of $20, we will provide you with a butterfly to release in honor of someone special.
There will be music, performances by the Kurn Hattin Home Select Choir, inspirational messages, and a public reading of the names of those being remembered, followed by the simultaneous release of hundreds of participants’ butterflies.
To reserve your butterfly(s), online at http://www.vnavnh.org, or at the event. If you can’t join us, we’ll release your butterfly for you.
All funds raised will support VNAVNH Hospice programs in local communities.
If you have any questions, call us at 888.300.8853 or email us at vnah@vnavnh.org.