Going for Gold: Restaurants with Local Flavor Shine during Gold Barn Month!

Vermont Fresh Network Announces Locally-Sourced, Limited Release Menu Items with Gold Barn Member Restaurants

RICHMOND, VT -  Farm to table dining is a quintessential Vermont experience – and this May, Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) is celebrating their Gold Barn designated restaurants across the state who go above and beyond to build partnerships with Vermont growers and producers. VFN currently has 56 Gold Barn Members, who collectively spent close to $9 million on Vermont-grown and crafted food and beverage products in the past year. 

To receive the Gold Barn distinction, members must spend at least 35% of their annual food purchasing budget on local food and products. They also must have at least 10 local producer partners, which may include vegetable farmers, beekeepers, maple sugarmakers, meat producers, dairy farmers, cheesemakers, brewers, cidermakers, tree fruit growers, or other locally produced specialty food and beverage producers.

“By prioritizing strong partnerships with Vermont’s vast network of independent growers, farmers, and producers, Gold Barn Member restaurants are doing their part to strengthen Vermont’s food system, by supporting the rural economy and Vermont’s working landscape,” says Tara Pereira, VFN Executive Director. 

This May, the following Vermont Fresh Network Gold Barn restaurants are offering special, limited release menu items to celebrate their local food partners. $1 from the purchase of each item will be donated to VFN in support of their annual programs, and their work advancing local food relationships among farmers, chefs, and specialty food and beverage producers.

For a  complete list of Vermont Fresh Network Gold Barn restaurants, to view the special menu items available this month, and to learn more about the Gold Barn designation, visit DigInVT.com. 

# # #

Vermont Fresh Network

The Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, building a strong local food system through the connections between farmers, chefs, and consumers who value their contribution to healthy communities, environment, and local economies. Since 1996, we have worked to ensure that the farmer-chef connection is a strong part of agricultural development and that consumers can support this work by where they choose to dine. For more information on Vermont Fresh Network, visit www.vermontfresh.net. Follow Vermont Fresh Network on Facebook and Instagram. 

DigInVT.com

DigInVT.com offers an online portal and event guide to authentic food & farm experiences in Vermont. DigInVT is a partnership of 10 Vermont food and farm nonprofit organizations who are committed to promoting, preserving and supporting Vermont’s working landscape. You can visit the site at www.diginvt.com. Follow DigInVT on Facebook and Instagram. 

Media Contact: 

Jessie Hoyng, Vermont Fresh Network Membership & Events Manager

(515) 494-3368

jessie@vermontfresh.net