MIDDLEBURY — COVID-19 is affecting the food supply chain in unprecedented ways. Supply and demand are out of balance on a global, regional and local scale. Vermont, however, is fortunate to have an abundance of local food producers ready to help feed the community, and ACORN has a plan.
As a result of the temporary closure of area farmers’ markets, restaurants and schools, ACORN has created an interactive online map that lists nearly 250 farmers and food producers in Vermont’s Champlain Valley who sell food locally. The map will help match folks looking to buy local food with growers who have an abundance to sell.
The organization is also organizing a virtual farmers’ market to encourage people to shop online using individual producer’s websites. All payment is done online, and orders will be ready for curbside pick-up at one of two distribution sites beginning Wednesday, April 29:
•  Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m., Tandem, 26 Main St, Bristol
•  Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Hannaford Career Center, 51 Charles Ave., Middlebury
ACORN is moving quickly to get this launched and locations are subject to change. Additional locations in Vergennes and Brandon may be added in the future if sufficient interest is shown by farmers and customers. ACORN will continue to keep its website up-to-date.
All orders will be packed by folks wearing gloves and a mask. Customers will be asked to wait in their cars and roll down their passenger rear window where volunteers, also wearing a mask and gloves, will place their orders. All social distancing measures will be in place. Any orders not picked up within the designated time slot will be donated to HOPE.
ACORN’s new interactive online map lists all of the Champlain Valley farms that sell food locally and is organized by food category. The map can be found here and the online market can be found here.
Farmers who don’t have an e-commerce site and who would like to be part of ACORN’s new virtual farmers’ market platform should contact ACORN’s Lindsey Berk at [email protected].