Local solid food exchange is all about relationship . Famers pop the question their products to local business and local business organisation hire farmers to grow their food . The challenge lies , however , in getting these two willing group to cross .
To facilitate the “ hook up ” of producers and purchaser , the Vermont Agency of Agriculture , Food and Markets adopted the stop number - date manikin and hosted the second Local Foods Matchmaker .
Participants from Vermont and neighboring New Hampshire and Massachusetts converged for a series of 10 - instant sessions in which buyers sat down with sellers to hear a merchandise pitch . If a connectedness was made , the two made plans to follow up on the offer .
For the 2009 event , 40 purchaser and 60 sellers try out their “ dating prowess ” at the Juniper Hill Inn in Windsor , Vt . According to the organizers , it was a fun way to engage buyers and sellers on the local level and encouraged growth in Vermont ’s local - food bm .
“ The bigger purpose [ of the Matchmaker ] is to explore the place local foods can have in retail and food for thought - inspection and repair setting and to see what we can do to ensure that communications between producer and these character of commercial-grade patronage run swimmingly , ” said Diane Bothfeld , Vermont ’s deputy sheriff secretary of Agriculture Department .
Diane Imrie , director of nutrition services at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington , Vt . , represent the infirmary at this class ’s result as a buyer .
“ Almost four eld ago , we signed a ‘ Healthy Food in Health Care ’ pledge that includes working straight with local farmer , ” she said . “ We have quite a few relationships with local farmer , but there are tons of food that we have n’t found locally yet . ”
At the Matchmaker , Imrie discovered a new local yogurt product and networked with Vermont farmers who could provide her with topically grown tomatoes .
Doug Davis , the director of food services at Burlington Local Schools , also in Burlington , Vt . , was able to add the Vermont hydroponic tomato to the school day ’s carte du jour as a effect of this year ’s Matchmaker and talk about untraditional methods of getting nutrient into the schools . The school day system uses about $ 50,000 of local produce every yr , up from just $ 300 a few years ago , Davis state .
“ We ’re trying to provide right meals for our youngster while include the local community and local vendor , ” Davis continued . “ It ’s crucial that we take the money we have and put it back into our community of interests . ”
On the marketer ’ side , Harrison Lebowitz from Snow Farm Vineyard attended the event to precede his vineyard , which he claimed is the oldest commercial-grade vinery and winery in Vermont .
“ Locals require to support local businesses and visitant desire to taste everything local , ” he said . “ Why come to Vermont to drink a California wine ? ”
Each player said they would attend future matchmaker .
This was the Agency of Agriculture ’s 2d matchmaking event .
“ We used the moral learn from last year to provide redundant information through handouts and workshops to help buyers and sellers communicate with each other , ” said Helen Labun Jordan , solid food policy administrator for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture . “ Some people are pick up conversation they set out a class ago , so it ’s not unfamiliar district any more . ”
Play Local Foods MatchmakerOrganizations in other parts of the country can set up similar events in their expanse . In 2008 , the first year of the Vermont Local Foods Matchmaker , organizers take a introductory approach that required a childlike venue and a minimal advert budget .
For the locus , they set up humble tables , to meet about four people each , where buyers and trafficker could gather . They also allow extra rooms where player could meet and mingle while not in sitting .
To make the Vermont event a succeeder , the organizers focused on the buyer - marketer human relationship . They secure emptor who were interested in participating with enough time to solicit interested sellers .
“ The genuine achiever of the Matchmaker is in the energy generate between buyers and sellers – it ’s a opportunity for participant to get out and meet new hoi polloi , explore new products , and get excited about the diversity of the local intellectual nourishment organization , ” Jordan said .
