Food is an influential part of my life. Knowing where my food comes from, how it's grown and who is growing it, is important to me. Locally sourced, environmentally friendly and fresh food helps keep me happy, healthy and supports my local food system to boot.
When you choose to support a local farm you stimulate your local economy and small businesses. Something that is so important in today’s global economy - and now more so than ever. The other big part of supporting local relates to the environmental impacts your food creates. Food from local growers has a much smaller carbon footprint than traditionally grown and sourced food. It doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles, be cleaned, packaged and shipped and finally delivered to your local supermarket. Not too mention most small scale farming operations have a smaller impact on the environment in which they are growing.
I support my local food system through purchasing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. We are fortunate in Vermont to have a long list of local purveyors to choose from. The Intervale Community Farm is an independently-owned farm located in the north end of Burlington, VT and a 10 minute walk from my house. I choose to participate in their CSA program and enjoy walking or biking down each week to pick up my produce in the fields it is grown in. Chatting with the farmers and seeing everyone else picking up their produce connects us all together in the community.
The nonprofit, Intervale Center, manages and operates over 350 acres of farmland where farmers can lease and operate. For over 30 years, Intervale Center has been growing and cultivating the local food system of Burlington. Today, they operate the Intervale Food Hub - another avenue for the community to find fresh and local food from farmers all over the state.
Patagonia Burlington and partner stores Skirack and Vermont Trailwear, values the long standing relationship with the Intervale Center and Conservation Nursery. So much so, we have assisted both organizations with successfully applying for Patagonia’s environmental grant program. The grants, in conjunction with Skirack, Inc's local donations have amounted to $50,000 thus far. But it's not just about the grants - the Intervale center hosted Skirack, Inc's first annual community service day last September. All three stores closed their doors for the day, further supporting our local food system through volunteerism.
“We envision food systems that support joyful, vibrant communities. Farms and food businesses thrive, natural resources are healthy and protected, and people are nourished and happy. The Intervale Center – our people, programs and place – is the living embodiment of this vision.”
Knowing that my food was grown less than a mile from where I cook and eat it makes me feel confident in what I am eating and supporting. Eating fresh food also helps me stay healthy and active doing things I love - mountain biking, skiing and skating. It’s so important to know what you are eating and where its from, so you can stay healthy, happy and supportive of your local food system.
- Josh Gauthier,
Patagonia Burlington Manager
The Intervale Center and many across Vermont will need resources to cope with major disruptions but to also increase our capacity to support our neighbors who farm and need food during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consider making a donation to the Intervale Center today.
