Podcast Alert: New Episodes of Root Words Now Available

Root Words returns with a special five-part series to take a closer look at the growing effort to localize our food system. Localized food systems are gaining regional and national attention for the benefits that go beyond food production and consumption. Rural and urban communities across the United States and the world are building local food networks for greater resilience, stronger local economies, better health, and social well being.

Root Words showcases stories of how food and agriculture connect us with our community and our landscape. Root Words is a collaboration between Vermont Farmers Food Center, Shrewsbury Agricultural Education & Arts Foundation, Shrewsbury Historical Society, WEXP, and many other community members. The project is based in Rutland County, Vermont.

Episode 1: Localizing the Regional Food System

Localizing the regional food system is the Vermont Farmers Food Center’s stated mission. In our first episode in this special series, we are taking a deeper dive into why localizing the food system is important and why it’s so important now.

Guest on this Episode:

• Local Futures Co-Director, Steve Gorelick
• Shane Rogers, Communications Director, Food Solutions New England
• Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and member of the Governor's Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture

Episode 2: To Build a Community Food Web

Exploring the concept of a community Food Web and the benefits of this local alternative.

Guests on this Episode:

• Ellen Kahler, Executive Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and member of the Governor's Commission on the Future of Vermont Agriculture
• Ken Meter, president, Crossroads Resource Center, author of Building Community Food Webs
• Philip Ackerman-Leist, VFFC Board Member, farmer, and author of Rebuilding the Foodshed: How to Create Local, Sustainable, and Secure Food Systems

Episode 3: Restoring Relationships

Looking at relationships people have with their foodways and some of the impacts that are felt when these relationships are damaged. Then hear how some folks are restoring their communities’ relationships with the land and with each other. At the end, listen to what Vermont Farmers Food Center is doing to help build back those community relationships in Rutland.