MIDDLEBURY — All Addison County farmers, local food producers and the general public are invited to attend the Addison County Candidates Forum on Food and Farm Policy. Hosted by ACORN, Tandem and Middlebury College, the Forum will take place on Oct. 19, from 7-9 p.m. at Middlebury College’s Kirk Alumni Center.
This forum brings together farmers, local food producers and consumers from across Addison County with 15 candidates from their districts running for elected office in November. The gathering is a listening opportunity for candidates to better understand the issues facing their constituents in one of Addison County’s most dynamic economic sectors. There will also be a 45-minute breakout session when people can talk to their candidates about the issues that most matter to them.
Panelists, and their respective product categories and towns, include:
•  Vegetable farm: Will Stevens, Golden Russet Farm, Shoreham.
•  Mixed vegetable/meat farm: Taylor Hutchison, Footprint Farm, Starksboro.
•  Meat farm: Rob Hunt, Pork Shop, Addison.
•  Fruit farm: Norma Norris, Norris Berry Farm, Monkton.
•  Dairy farm: Hannah Sessions, Blue Ledge Farm, Leicester.
•  Processor: Kevin Harper, Bristol Bakery and Cafe Wholesale, Bristol.
ACORN hosted a Producers and Buyers Forum at Middlebury College in March. “What we learned was there are a few policy issues our local farmers and food producers would like to address with legislators. What better time than right before an election?” said Jonathan Corcoran, ACORN’s executive director. “By directly connecting policy makers with food producers, we can move forward together to build a more resilient local food economy.”
If you have questions or would like more information, contact ACORN at [email protected].
ACORN(Addison County Relocalization Network) is a nonprofit community organization based in Middlebury whose mission is to promote the growth and health of local food and agriculture in Vermont’s Southern Champlain Valley. We are working with growers, schools, businesses and community and statewide partners to double the consumption of locally-grown food by 2020. For more information, go to http://acornvt.org/.