City Market Celebrates Local Food

Burlington, VT – During the month of February, City Market, Onion River Co-op celebrated their love of local with their annual “We ♥ Local Food Recipe Contest”. This year, the featured ingredient was local dried beans from Morningstar Farm in Glover, VT.

The Co-op solicited recipes from customers Monday, February 2 through Sunday, February 15.  Customers were asked to base their recipes on the following local bean varieties: King of the Early, Yellow Eye, Marfax, Jacob’s Cattle, or Tiger’s Eye. Initial judging was based on proportion of local ingredients, simplicity, taste, health, and originality. “We were impressed with all the recipes customers submitted using local dried beans,” said Todd Taylor, Outreach and Education Manager. “It was hard to whittle it down to three finalists, but we think these three recipes offer creative and delicious ways to make use of bulk beans.  Thank you to everyone who submitted a recipe!”

Over 40 entries were narrowed down to three finalists: Vermont Winter’s 3 Bean Pot Pie, Swiss Chard and Bean Fritters, and Vermont Bean Brownies. Samples of these three recipes were offered at the Co-op on Friday, February 27 and at City Market’s table at the Burlington Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturday, February 28. Everyone who voted for their favorite received a 2-for-1 lift ticket voucher at Jay Peak Resort.

All three of the finalist recipes received many popular votes and the winner is Amanda Kolifrath with Vermont Winter’s 3 Bean Pot Pie. Ms. Kolifrath wins the grand prize of a $100 City Market gift card and a Le Creuset Stoneware Bean Pot from Kiss the Cook. The two runners-up in the competition were Erica Green and Anna Mays, and they will each receive a $25 City Market gift card. All three top recipes are available at www.citymarket.coop/we-heart-local-food. Congratulations to our finalists!

About City Market/Onion River Co-op

The Onion River Co-op is a consumer cooperative, with over 10,500 Members, selling wholesome food and other products while building a vibrant, empowered community and a healthier world, all in a sustainable manner. Located in downtown Burlington, Vermont, City Market provides a large selection of local, organic and conventional foods, and thousands Vermont-made products. Visit City Market, Onion River Co-op online at www.CityMarket.coop or call 802-861-9700.

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