Agricultural Groups working together in the Upper Valley
To keep pace with the increase in the number of Upper Valley groups working on topics related to local agriculture, Valley Food & Farm started the Valley Food Council (VFC) in 2009. The VFC gives participants a central way to network, share information and experiences, look for areas of collaboration, and avoid duplication of efforts. Among those represented are farms, local grocers, town planners, town sustainability committees, localvores, food security advocates, farmers’ markets, and farm-to-school groups.
The Council generally meets monthly to discuss a focused topic, such as community and school gardens, gleaning and surplus food distribution, the need for food processing facilities in the Upper Valley, and community and institutional composting. Each meeting brings in experts on the subject under discussion and gives all involved a chance to learn from each other and forge new connections. Council members discuss successes, problems, and possible solutions, with an eye towards enacting these solutions and improving the state of local agriculture in the Upper Valley. Members may decide to take further action among themselves or in small groups.
Vital Communities has expanded its website to include the Council’s participating organizations. These and other resources, including highlights of past VFC meetings and a local ag calendar, announcements, news, and events can be found in the Valley Food & Farmanac.
For more information or to receive notices of upcoming Valley Food Council gatherings email us and we will give you the scoop.