Pictured: Our own “Vermont delegation” from the Organic Trade Association with Representative Becca Balint

By Catherine Cusack, GMFTS Executive Director

Vermont Way Foods™ LLC (VWF) has had a busy year!

Thanks to the leadership of Matt Landi, Managing Director, VWF delivered Vermont grown produce into the Boston market through a newly formed relationship with Market Basket. Market Basket brings with it the potential of sourcing Vermont products to 90 stores throughout southern New England. VWF products could also be spotted in AGNE stores throughout Vermont, including Jericho Market, Richmond Market, and Londonderry Village Market. VWF continues to forge new relationships to become a vendor in major retail outlets around New England. Be on the lookout for VWF branded products to start cropping up in your local grocery store!

New to the Vermont Way Foods product line is VWF branded organic maple syrup, sourced from farms and bottled with support from the Center for an Agricultural Economy in Hardwick. Also this year, VWF was named as a partner in an Organic Market Development Grant secured by NOFA-VT aimed at increasing the profile of organic food and its impact on climate resilience while also advocating for fair wages and humane living conditions. VWF will bring new organic dairy, maple, fresh produce and other products to market, selling food from local, organic farms under a unified VWF brand. Where applicable, the products will be produced on farms enrolled in the Milk With Dignity program.

This past spring, Vermont Way Foods was invited to participate in a panel discussion as part of the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Organic Week event in Washington DC. Matt represented VWF as part of a panel that focused on regional food systems (including the role of food hubs and regional brands), with over 280 people in attendance. Matt also had the privilege of networking and meeting directly with congressional leaders and discussing the priorities of the organic trade association, particularly around the farm bill and shared a bit about VWF and what is important in its role within the food system.

Vermont Way Foods products are distributed through Food Connects and Center for an Agricultural Economy Farm Connex. The co-ownership and managing board of directors continues with the founding partnership of Green Mountain Farm-to-School, The Center for an Agricultural Economy, Food Connects, and the Intervale Center.