Agriculture in Jericho/Food Hub Task Force

Please complete the survey below to indicate your thoughts and feelings about your eating and purchasing habits when it comes to local foods.

Our definition of local foods is: food grown (both vegetables, grains and meats) with in a state, region or within 50 miles of your table.

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/aqvdeA6QFDMSryrG7

At Town Meeting, March 7, 2023, the Food Hub Initiative Passed. Stay tuned for more information as this initiative moves forward. If you would like to serve on this committee click here for an application.

Read the declaration below:

“We the citizens of Jericho propose the formation of Jericho as a vital Food Hub for the citizens of its Town and environs. A Food Task Force will be established by the SelectBoard, with the goal of increasing food self-sufficiency via the production, manufacture and distribution of local food.”

The Farm Share Program provides fresh, local foods to Vermonters in need of financial assistance via half-priced CSA shares. When you sign up for a CSA at a farm, you pay in advance for a portion (or "share") of the farm's upcoming harvest and receive a regular box of farm-fresh food all season long. This sales model provides participants with consistent access to local, in-season food and provides predictable income for farmers.

We established the program for Vermonters to access more healthy, local food while ensuring farmers are fully compensated for their work. The program has grown from serving a dozen individual families and three farms in 1995 to over 500 Vermont families and more than 50 farms in 2022.

Please note the FAQs below to learn more about the program and find a CSA that appeals to you! Click here for a list of participating farms.

The Spring/Summer Farm Share 2023 application is open, Feb. 1 - March 31, 2023! Click here for the online application. Update 3/8/2023: Due to high demand, remaining funds for this program are currently limited. The application will remain open through March 31 for anyone who wishes to add their name to a waitlist. We will try to accommodate as many applicants as possible.

Transition Town Jericho has put forth a proposal to create a Food Hub in Jericho. There will be a non-binding vote on Town Meeting Day (Tuesday, March 7, 2023) to allow Jericho residents to voice their opinion on this initiative.

“We the citizens of Jericho propose the formation of Jericho as a vital Food Hub for the citizens of its town and environs. A Food Hub Commission will be established, with the goal of increasing food self-sufficiency via the production, manufacture and distribution of local food.”

Click here to learn more about Food Hubs

Read about other Food Hubs in Vermont:

https://www.foodconnects.org/ - Food Connects out of Brattleboro

https://www.acornvt.org/ - ACORN Addison County Relocalization Network

https://hardwickagriculture.org/ - Center for Agricultural Economy

If you can't attend town meeting to vote, but would like to indicate your support for this initiative click here: https://bit.ly/3GTjfXQ

Over the past ten years, Vermont’s food system economic output expanded 48%, from $7.5 billion to $11.3 billion, which includes $3 billion (26.5%) from food manufacturing—Vermont’s second-largest manufacturing industry. The food system added 6,560 net new jobs (11.3% increase), and more than 64,000 Vermonters were directly employed by over 11,500 farms and food-related businesses. Local food purchases rose from $114 million (5%) to $310 million (13.9%) of the total $2.2 billion spent on food in the state annually, and Vermont farms sold $781 million worth of product per year.

Recognizing the success of the first Plan and the continued importance of agriculture and food to Vermont’s economy, environment, and culture, the Vermont Legislature and Governor Scott reauthorized the Farm to Plate Investment Program in 2019. (source: Vermont Farm to Plate)

Here are the key points* of the Vermont Agriculture and Food Systems Strategic Plan for 2021-2030:

• Vermont’s agriculture and food system will be defined by human well-being, environmental sustainability, equity, trust, collaboration, and ingenuity.
• Access to land, infrastructure, education, capital, and technical assistance will be sufficient and equitable
• We envision a working landscape where agricultural soils are protected and respected for their ability to sustain us in good times and hard times, in which farming and food production generate clean water, clean air, healthy soils, and ecological diversity
• We envision a food system in which there are no social, cultural, or infrastructure barriers to obtaining and enjoying local food

*The full text can be found in the Related Documents folder on this site.

Rooted in Vermont is a grassroots movement to increase consumer demand for local food. Rooted in Vermont is shifting the local food narrative on social media and in Vermont communities to be inclusive of the many ways Vermonters enjoy and acquire local food. Traditions like gardening, hunting, fishing, and foraging are as core to Vermont’s local food movement as purchasing local food from farmers, restaurants, schools, and stores.

Read more....