Agriculture in Jericho/Food Hub Task Force

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....

The Farm Share Program provides income-eligible Vermonters with the opportunity to support their local CSA farmer and receive reliable access to high-quality produce on a weekly basis through an innovative cost-share model. Each year, the Farm Share Program assists hundreds of individuals and families in accessing a season's worth of fresh farm products by partially subsidizing the cost of shares.

Applications are being accepted for summer 2021 through April 30th.

Click the Farmshare NOFA-VT image below for more information