The Intervale Center is Supporting the Community Food System in Times of Crisis

An update from the Intervale Center:

• Our Farm Business Team is working with farms across Vermont as they adjust to changing markets and new demands on their businesses. We must make sure that these essential businesses remain viable and ready to engage when the restaurant industry fully re-opens.

• The Intervale Food Hub has expanded operations as we seek to ensure safe and healthy food access for households in Burlington served by home food delivery. We’ve adapted our distribution model to ensure that it will be able to keep operating throughout the crisis, as an increasing number of people seek out the Food Hub for a convenient source of food while staying at home.

• The Intervale Center’s Fair Share Program is partnering with the Vermont Foodbank to provide a Fair Share for Restaurant Workers. Baskets containing produce and other local food supplies will be available in limited quantities to alleviate some of the financial burden felt by members of the food service industry. The first drop will be April 17. For information, please email our Gleaning and Food Rescue Program Manager, Hannah Baxter, at hannah@intervale.org. Please help spread the word!

• ShiftMeals: A Local Food Response to COVID-19. We have partnered with Skinny Pancake as fiscal sponsor of a new project to help individuals who have lost their income and struggle to get access to wholesome food. This project will produce thousands of meals for those in need in our community.  For more information see: https://skinnypancake.com/shiftmeals/

“The Intervale Center’s programs are designed to support a community food system, and in this time of crisis, we are busy working across the Vermont food system, with farmers, consumers and supply chain partners, to make sure our local food economy remains strong. From supporting farmers as they adjust their businesses, to providing safe access to healthy food to both members of the Intervale Food Hub and those in need, we are relying on our 30+ years of leadership, infrastructure and partnerships to respond to the urgent and evolving needs of our community.” – Travis, The Intervale Center