Press Contact
Shane Rogers
Communications and Development Coordinator
srogers@gmfts.org | 802-334-2044
For Immediate Release
Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) teamed up with Smitty’s Farm in Newport, Vt. to hold a free, On-Farm Community Dinner that was open to the public. The evening featured a dinner that used Vermont seasonal produce and showcased Smitty’s Farm’s berries. The event brought together over 35 community members for a celebration of local agriculture and the season’s harvest.
The meal was prepared on the GMFTS Lunchbox food truck and the menu featured a seasonal, locally sourced harvest soup, a berry coleslaw, fresh baked bread, and triple berry shortcake with hand-whipped cream. Community members attending the event had the chance to explore the farm, chat with Greg “Smitty” Smith, and enjoy a great meal during the beautiful and warm evening.
“We brought together community members and farmers to celebrate the season’s harvest over a delicious meal,” says Becca Mitchell, consumer education coordinator with GMFTS, “The Northeast Kingdom is full of great farmers and amazing, local food and we want to show that off to the community.”
This year marks the fourth year that GMFTS has partnered with local farms for the On-Farm Community Dinner series. The series was created to raise awareness about the abundance of local, healthy food available in the Northeast Kingdom and to cultivate relationships between communities and the area’s farmers. The events have been held all over the NEK including Joe’s Brook Farm in St. Johnsbury, Peace of Earth Farm in Albany, and Harvest Hill Farm in Hardwick to name a few.
“Everyone wins when communities support their small, local farmers,” says Katherine Sims, executive director of GMFTS, “Residents are eating tasty, healthy foods, farms are taking advantage of new market opportunities, and it’s creating a shared sense of community.”
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