Archive for October, 2009

• Savor Burlington

  Date: 10.29.2009 | Category: Coming Up | Response: 0

  “After all, you are where you eat.” -Chris Howell, owner Vermont Farm Tours

  Vermont Farm Tours heads to the city on Saturday for its popular Savor Burlington tour. You’ll feel like royalty as you trek and taste your way through the Queen City’s farmers’ market and artisan food shops. There’s lunch at American Flatbread too. Lead by farmer/localvore/raconteur Chris Howell, you’ll learn why Burlington was rated the healthiest city in the country by the Centers for Disease Control in 2008, and why some consider it the tastiest as well.

  The tour includes 6 tastings, lunch, a tote bag and tour photos, and is limited to 12 individuals. Call 802.922.7346 for details and to reserve.

  Don’t forget your sweater and umbrella- AccuWeather predicts “mid 50s, breezy with rain possible” for Saturday.

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• Smart Choices Program to Stop Labeling Food

  Date: 10.27.2009 | Category: News Feed | Response: 1

  The Smart Choices Program stated it will postpone active operations after federal regulators announced they would review the criteria behind the Smart Choices label.

  Launched in August 2009 and funded by food industry leaders, the Smart Choices Program permits manufacturers to label their products as “healthy” with a bright green checkmark on the packaging.

  In an effort to prevent misleading nutritional labels, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg announced on Oct. 20 that the FDA will develop standardized criteria for front-of-package labeling. Hamburg noted that some of the products labeled “Smart Choices” were actually 50 percent sugar, reports the Chicago Tribune. Sugary cereals including Fruit Loops and Cocoa Krispies have the Smart Choices seal of approval.

  Three days after the FDA’s announcement, the Smart Choices Program stated in a press release that they will halt production and “welcome the opportunity to collaborate on front-of-package labeling with the FDA.”

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• Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food

  Date: 10.21.2009 | Category: News Feed | Response: 0

  The sustainable food movement is getting some much-needed federal help. On September 14th, the USDA launched the new program “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” in an effort to “create new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers.”

  U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack introduced the initiative via YouTube video. Vilsack explains that by doing business with local farmers, American families will be able to eat healthier foods and stimulate the economy at the local level.

  The USDA is expected to provide approximately $65 million in funding for the program.

  The “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” website provides information on federal loans, grants and support available for farmers. The website will allow individuals to share experiences and ideas and will also help facilitate discussion of the local food movement through social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

  To kick-off the new program, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan held a live discussion of the sustainable food movement and the “Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” initiative on Facebook on October 1.

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