May All Be Fed: Partnering with NOFA-VT to Ensure Local, Nourishing Food is Accessible to All
Guest post by NOFA-VT
Do you believe that all Vermonters should have access to nourishing, local food? So do we! That’s why we’ve teamed up with City Market for the 20th year in a row to raise funds for our Farm Share Program.
In its 26th year, our Farm Share Program provides half-priced CSA shares from local farms to limited-income Vermonters while ensuring that participating farms receive the full price for their food. These farms also gain customers they otherwise would not have had, helping farm families earn a livable wage and continue farming the land.
The Farm Share Program enables limited-income Vermonters to participate in the existing local food economy in a dignified manner. Our participants purchase healthy, local food at a discounted price directly from farmers in the same way as their neighbors. This reduces stigma and builds relationships that create a more inclusive and just local food system.
The Farm Share Program is a win-win-win: limited-income Vermonters gain access to healthy, affordable food; farmers receive the full price for their food and build their customer base; and direct relationships are built between farmers and eaters, contributing to more socially connected and resilient communities. The program proves that we can expand access to nutritious, local food for limited income Vermonters with a dignified, community-based approach.
For the last 20 years, City Market has participated in our annual Share the Harvest fundraiser to support the Farm Share Program. The fundraiser, typically the first Thursday in October, invites restaurants, co-ops, and food businesses around the state to donate a portion of their proceeds on a given day to the Farm Share Program.
Recognizing the rise in food insecurity across the state this year, City Market generously wanted to find more ways to support the Farm Share Program. In addition to participating in the Share the Harvest fundraiser this October, City Market will be selling “May All Be Fed” hats with original artwork by co-op Member, Bonnie Acker. All proceeds from these hats will go toward this important program, providing a half-priced CSA share for limited-income Vermonters.
The essential need for fresh, healthy food has never been more important than during this global pandemic. Now, more than ever, we must come together to support our neighbors and local farms. Doing your part can be as easy as buying a hat to help ensure all Vermonters are well fed. You can learn more about NOFA-VT’s Farm Share Program here.