Indoor Market Profile: Brattleboro

Every farmers market is unique. They all have different people, regions, locations, products, and that is what makes it fun to visit and shop at farmers markets. What sets the Brattleboro Indoor Farmers Market apart? We spoke with Sherry Maher, manager of Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market, to find out what makes their market special.

Where are you located?

After 12 years in the River Garden in the heart of Brattleboro, we are located in the C.F. Church building, a former manufacturing building at 80 Flat St, just past the parking garage.  The new space is much larger than our previous space and includes on-site parking.

What is the market schedule?

Every Saturday, Nov – March, 10:00am – 2:00pm

How does the winter market differ from the outdoor market?

The Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market is a project of Post Oil Solutions, and thus is a separate operation from the member-based Brattleboro area farmers market.  That said, there are many vendors who participate in both, and we are more concerned that locals and visitors to the area know where to find a farmers market May – March, rather than whose market is it.  As a grassroots sustainability group, we started the market to give local farmers an outlet for all the fresh produce that was left at the end of the summer market season. Our success encouraged more and more local farmers to plan and plant for this direct market outlet through the winter months.

What is the atmosphere like?

It is a warm, welcoming community feel in our market where locals start their weekly shopping while catching up with friends, and visitors get a taste of life in the greater Brattleboro area.  

How many vendors do you have?

While we usually have about 40 or so vendors on our roster, we typically have between 25-30 vendors at the market on any given week.  Some vendors only participate in half of the season, while others fill in occasionally.

Do you ever have special events? If so, what kind?

We have music every week, and now in our new space we even have a kid’s room with space and playthings, and a beautiful colorful dragon on the wall painted by an area artist.  

Which vendor has participated the longest at the market?

Four current vendors were there when we opened the market 13 years ago – Dwight Miller & Son Orchards, Susan Dunning Pottery Works, and Bigan Fard with One World Soaps. Also, Emily Amanna, currently of Wild Shepherd Farm, was there with her previous herbal business.

Who’s new this year and what do they carry?

New to us this year are 2 dairy farms – Livewater Dairy from Westminster, and Jersey Girls from Chester.  While both bring cheese, eggs, and meats, Jersey Girls also brings farm fresh and pasteurized milk, while Livewater also has beautiful hand-knit hats. Also Rockingham Roasters is a new vendor this year.

What is your favorite part of the market?

My favorite part is watching it all come together each week as vendors prepare for their customers to start arriving.  With the move to our new location this year, we have seen so many astonished faces as customers enter and see how wonderful this new space is.  The on-site parking has made it much more accessible for people with mobility challenges, and roomier customer aisles even allow parents with a stroller to maneuver through the market.  

 bratt winter market

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Winter Cocktails Warm Up the Season

Do you have a favorite cocktail to order when the snow is blowing? Some winter drinks keep us warm during the cold and and dark days of winter. Others are evocative of a tropical island and use ingredients that are full of sunshine. With the cold temps and snow storms, winter can seem awfully long. We asked some of our favorite restaurants, mixologists, and makers to share their essential cocktails for this winter.

Mad River Distillers – Burlington & Warren

Neil Goldberg – Tasting Room Manager

This winter we’re keeping daiquiris alive despite the weather with our aptly named “Winter Daiquiri”.
As a rum distillery we of course love simple cocktails that showcase our labor of love, the spirits. In this drink we use our First Run Rum, an aged rum distilled from demerara cane sugar and rested in new oak charred barrels. The rum is robust enough to stand up to the spiced Falernum and helps balance the puckering sourness the lime brings to the party.  Mad River Distillers First Run Rum is distilled from scratch in Warren, VT using fair trade demerara sugar. First Run Rum is aged as you would bourbon in charred new oak barrels; this aging transforms the rum into a spirit that can unite the tastes of both rum and whiskey drinkers. It’s a delicious aged rum that can be sipped on it’s own, but my personal preference is probably to drink it in a daiquiri.

 

 

 How to Make a Winter Daiquiri:

Combine the following ingredients in cocktail shaker:

  • 2 oz Mad River First Run Rum

  • 3/4 oz Spiced Falernum

  • 1 oz Lime Juice (fresh or cold pressed)

  • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a star anise pod.

Drink immediately!

 

Juniper Bar and Restaurant – Burlington

Matt Farkas at Juniper offered up the “Transcendence.” We can’t wait to try it!

This cocktail is representative of the type of experience I want to convey to a customer who may be visiting Vermont in the winter, but wishing they had one foot firmly in the Caribbean. The Transcendence cocktail offers a familiar Vermont winter aroma with Barr Hill Tom Cat barrel selection 100 proof gin as a solid foundation. Building off the complex yet soft harmony of juniper berries, oak barrels and raw honey I couldn’t help but find myself looking for more support aromatically. Enter….. St. Elizabeth all spice dram. The first ingredient that opened my eyes to complex flavors non tropical that hail from the Caribbean. When traveling the Caribbean I always bring Tom Cat gin to offer to the local bartenders and showcase how well a spirit that captures the essence of Vermont can mingle with tropical flavors. One of those flavors I got introduced to is bitter sweet pineapple infused Campari. This is where a bridge between Vermont gin and Caribbean flavor is built. Adding a splash of ginger beer and a touch of fresh squeezed lime lengthened the drink and gave it some island cred. Close your eyes and with one sip you can transcend the winter cold in Vermont and mentally relocate to a warmer place.

Transcendence

Build:

  • 1 oz Tom Cat barrel selection 100 proof**

  • 1 oz Pineapple infused Campari

  • 0.25 oz lime

Shake, single strain

  • Glass:  Collins

  • Ice: Crushed

  • Float: Ginger beer

  • 10 dashes St. Elizabeth allspice dram

  • Garnish: Rosemary sprig, Dehydrated Campari soaked pineapple

junipercocktail

 

**Barr Hill Tom Cat Barrel selection 100 proof:
Single barrel Tom Cat proofed to 100 % abv. Bottled exclusively for Hotel Vermont
We had a rare opportunity to taste a few single barrels at the end of last summer and select one to be our own! What we found was that with slightly longer time in the barrel and more alcohol by volume created different expressions barrel to barrel. We chose our particular barrel because of its aggressive juniper structure and intense woody aroma. We felt that this was an honest representation of the people who live and work in the northeast kingdom where Barr Hill is currently located. You can only taste this particular version of Tom Cat at Hotel Vermont. So we think it’s a real treat.

**Barr Hill Single Barrel Tom Cat proofed to 100 % abv. Bottled exclusively for Hotel Vermont

We had a rare opportunity to taste a few single barrels at the end of last summer and select one to be our own! What we found was that with a slightly longer time in the barrel and more alcohol by volume created different expressions barrel to barrel. We chose our particular barrel because of its aggressive juniper structure and intense woody aroma. We felt that this was an honest representation of the people who live and work in the northeast kingdom where Barr Hill is currently located. You can only taste this particular version of Tom Cat at Hotel Vermont. So we think it’s a real treat.

 

Citizen Cider – Burlington

Cheray MacFarland

Miss Bates is an in-house favorite at our Cider Pub. The bright notes from the grapefruit really complement the cider. bROSé is the second cider we ever made, it naturally pairs well in any cocktail, something about the combination of blueberries and apples and booze makes for a delicious, light cocktail. Perfect for any season!

bRose All Day Cocktail small wintercocktails2

Miss Bates

0.5 oz Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz grapefruit

topped with bROSé

Served in a pint glass with lime garnish

   

  

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Visiting Indoor Farmers Markets

There is nothing like walking through an outdoor farmers market during the height of summer. But have you explored all the indoor markets we have in the state? Visiting farmers markets year round, truly connects us to the season, farmers, and to what we eat.  Markets enable us to bring home the freshest vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy, and support our farmers. The winter markets often take place in a unique location, from the Burlington Winter market at the UVM Davis Center to Dorset’s market at the JK Adam’s Kitchen Store. There are markets spread across the state. Where is your winter market?

First Things First

Be aware most indoor markets are not open every weekend during the season.  So before you go, check the dates. And since the indoor market season takes place between November 1 and May 1, you won’t necessarily need to bring a cooler with ice packs, but keeping a cooler in the car isn’t a bad idea. Many farms offer meat that will need to be kept cold – homemade pork sausages, pork roasts, lamb, and/or poultry. And if you plan to buy any cheese to bring home, you wouldn’t want your car heater to warm it up. Many markets and towns have special events planned year round; be sure to check out the market’s website or social media (linked from their Place Pages) to pick the best weekend for your visit. Or check the DigInVT calendar of events for other special food happenings nearby.   If you plan to stay longer, build your own personal trail for the day.

 
Bennington

Baptist Church, 601 Main Street
Bennington, VT 05201

Brattleboro

C.F. Church Building, 80 Flat St
Brattleboro, VT 05301

Burlington

UVM Davis Center, 590 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401

Burlington UVM Medical Center

Farmers Market held in the Davis Concourse of the hospital
Davis Concourse, 111 Colchester Ave.

Dorset

J.K. Adams Kitchen Store and Factory, 1430 Route 30
Dorset, VT 05251

Hartland

Damon Hall, 1 Quechee Rd
Hartland, VT 05048

Middlebury

VFW, 530 Exchange St
Middlebury, VT 05753

Montpelier

Montpelier City Center, 89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602

Morrisville

74 Pleasant St
Morristown, VT 05661

Northfield

Plumley Armory (Norwich University), 158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663

Norwich

Tracy Hall, 300 Main St
Norwich, VT 05055

Putney

Green Mountain Orchard, 130 West Hill Road
Putney, VT 05346

St. Johnsbury

St. Johnsbury Welcome Center
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

South Hero

South Hero Congregational Church, 24 South St.
South Hero , VT 05486

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Visiting Indoor Farmers Markets

There is nothing like walking through an outdoor farmers market during the height of summer. But have you explored all the indoor markets we have in the state? Visiting farmers markets year round, truly connects us to the season, farmers, and to what we eat.  Markets enable us to bring home the freshest vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy, and support our farmers. The winter markets often take place in a unique location, from the Burlington Winter market at the UVM Davis Center to Dorset’s market at the JK Adam’s Kitchen Store. There are markets spread across the state. Where is your winter market?

First Things First

Be aware most indoor markets are not open every weekend during the season.  So before you go, check the dates. And since the indoor market season takes place between November 1 and May 1, you won’t necessarily need to bring a cooler with ice packs, but keeping a cooler in the car isn’t a bad idea. Many farms offer meat that will need to be kept cold – homemade pork sausages, pork roasts, lamb, and/or poultry. And if you plan to buy any cheese to bring home, you wouldn’t want your car heater to warm it up. Many markets and towns have special events planned year round; be sure to check out the market’s website or social media (linked from their Place Pages) to pick the best weekend for your visit. Or check the DigInVT calendar of events for other special food happenings nearby.   If you plan to stay longer, build your own personal trail for the day.

Bennington

Baptist Church, 601 Main Street
Bennington, VT 05201

Brattleboro

C.F. Church Building, 80 Flat St
Brattleboro, VT 05301

Burlington

UVM Davis Center, 590 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401

Burlington UVM Medical Center

Farmers Market held in the Davis Concourse of the hospital
Davis Concourse, 111 Colchester Ave.

Dorset

J.K. Adams Kitchen Store and Factory, 1430 Route 30
Dorset, VT 05251

Hartland

Damon Hall, 1 Quechee Rd
Hartland, VT 05048

Middlebury

VFW, 530 Exchange St
Middlebury, VT 05753

Montpelier

Montpelier City Center, 89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602

Morrisville

74 Pleasant St
Morristown, VT 05661

Northfield

Plumley Armory (Norwich University), 158 Harmon Drive
Northfield, VT 05663

Norwich

Tracy Hall, 300 Main St
Norwich, VT 05055

Putney

Green Mountain Orchard, 130 West Hill Road
Putney, VT 05346

St. Johnsbury

St. Johnsbury Welcome Center
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

South Hero

South Hero Congregational Church, 24 South St.
South Hero , VT 05486

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Explore Food in a New Way: Take a Class

Have you ever taken a cooking class or signed up for a workshop on growing vegetables?  While we all might have favorite cookbooks or online videos, in person classes are best.  You’re able to follow along as others ask questions that you may not have thought of and then ask your own.  What does well kneaded bread dough feel like? How do you know when a vegetable is properly roasted or steamed? Can your nose tell you when spices are perfectly toasted? What does it sound like when cider doughnuts are ready to be taken out of the hot oil.  A class allows you to use all of your senses and allows you to immerse yourself in the experience.

Taking a cooking class is a lot of things…It’s learning, it’s fun, and it is great to do with friends. In Vermont, whether you like to bake, cook with herbs, ferment food, or learn how to use the  flavors of a new cuisine, there is something for everyone! Here are some of our favorite places and people to learn from. Before you visit, build your own trail to help you explore and plan more adventures.

King Arthur Flour – Norwich

People travel from around the country to take a class at the King Arthur Flour store and education center.  With its wide ranging schedule, visitors can learn to bake a croissant, master the breads of Italy or spend an afternoon learning cookie decorating techniques.   From beginners to professionals this is a baker’s paradise. Stay overnight at the Norwich Inn and explore the area. 

Brot Bakehouse School and Kitchen – Fairfax

This tiny bread bakery in Fairfax uses natural leavens and a wood-burning oven to produce magical loaves of bread.  Enjoy the views and a spread of cheese and conversation after your class with bakeress and founder Heike Meyer, who grew up in the bread center culture of Germany. Classes range from learning how to make authentic neopolitan pizza to making brioche and crepes as part of a French breakfast class to more intensive classes spending a day learning to master sourdough or rye breads. And why not make a mini-vacation too; Hotel Vermont offers a special weekend  package, with overnight accommodations, a hands-on class at the bakery and $50 off a dinner at Juniper Bar and Restaurant.

Richmond Community Kitchen – Richmond

Richmond Community Kitchen offers different cooking classes almost every week.  Their classes are limited to twelve students, which allows for a wonderful evening or afternoon of cooking and making new friends. You cook together, learn together, and at the end of class, eat together. These hands-on lessons taught by chef instructors range from the basics to the more exotic.

Red Wagon Plants – Hinesburg

Interested in growing and learning about gardening and cooking with herbs? Join the Red Wagon folks in the greenhouse for an herb garden workshop or explore the many different varieties of tomatoes.

Essex Resort and Spa – Essex

Enjoy a gourmet getaway at this special resort. Most classes at the Cooks Academy at the Essex Resort and Spa include a three- or four-course meal. And the best part is eating the result of your efforts. Classes vary throughout the year depending on the season and availability of fresh ingredients – they have included cooking with Vermont beer, making fresh pasta, wine tastings and vegetarian cooking.  

Visit an Inn or Bed and Breakfast

Many of our cozy bed and breakfasts and inns offer special classes and weekend stays. Pick raspberries and learn to make muffins. Or spend your weekend learning food photography. There are many creative and unique options.

The Daily Meal says the Inn at Weatherfield has the best hotel restaurant in the state.  Learn from the best and spend time in their classroom “The Hidden Kitchen” to learn everything from farm to table butchery to charcuterie to vegetarian cuisine with Chef Michael Ehlenfeldt and guest chef instructor. 

Learn on the Farm

At DigInVT, we believe farmers know everything. And our Vermont farms are generous with sharing their knowledge. From cheesemaking, to wildcrafting and beekeeping, raising chickens, vegetable gardening, and so such more, it will be hard to decide which farm to choose and which workshop to take.  Shelburne Farms is a working farm with classes and camps for all ages. It is in their mission statement “to inspire and cultivate learning for a sustainable future.” Their year round schedule will take you on a morning bird walk, spring wildcrafting or learning how to make butter in a camp. Cate Hill Orchard and Sheep Dairy in Greensboro offers sheep cheesemaking classes as well as lessons in pruning your fruit trees.  The 517 acre historic apple orchard, Scott Farm, in Dummerston established in 1791, is home to 40 acres of orchards managed by orchardist Zeke Goodband, producing 125 varieties of ecologically-grown heirloom apples and other fruits. Every spring Zeke offers a pruning workshop for backyard fruit growers. This is the place to go to learn about fruit trees and taste history. 

EVENTS

Some people may go to festivals to eat and listen to music, but did you know you can sometimes take a class too? Whether you join the folks at the Maple Open House weekend, Vermont Brewers Festival, the Vermont Cheesemakers festival, or Open Farm Week, be sure to set aside time to sign up for any learning opportunities offered. 

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Community, Creation, and Collaboration in Middlesex

As you travel up Highway 89 past Montpelier or as you drive south past Waterbury, there is a stop you need to make. Exit 9 towards Middlesex takes you to a pretty special place. A gathering place full of local art, freshly baked bread, lots of chocolate, and community events.

Camp Meade was a former Civilian Conservation Corps campus was built in the 1930s. It has gone through many changes since that time. It was a 1950’s-era motor court with pool and WWII museum with planes and weaponry.  Now it is a place of community, creation, and collaboration according to Planetary Matters, a company started by Mike Pelchar, Alan Newman, and Russ Bennett over a year ago to foster collaboration and community in Middlesex.

Today it is home to a group of Vermont artisan businesses, including Red Hen Bakery, Nutty Stephs granola and chocolate, Mud Pottery Studio, and the Hive Art Gallery. 

Red Hen Bakery

You may have see Red Hen bread at your local grocery store, but at the Middlesex bakery you can watch the bread being made by the bakers through the picture window as you try to decide between croissants, galettes, sandwiches, and the many other treats. Red Hen Bakery and cafe moved to this location several years ago. Since then, the cafe has become a spot to meet up with friends, chat with locals, and pick up locally made food and beverages from all over the state. You can purchase provisions for your next picnic or get together, as well as enjoy one of the house-made breakfast or lunch sandwiches made with fresh Red Hen Bread.

Nutty Stephs

nutty 3shot

After having breakfast or lunch at Red Hen, be sure to stop by Nutty Stephs for chocolate truffles, chocolate bars and, of course, the food that stared it all…the granola.  The granola came first at Nutty Stephs, but the chocolate has taken over. Owner Jaquelyn Reike and her team of chocolatiers make small batch chocolate bars and truffles with the freshest ingredients. You’ll find Kimball Brook cream in their truffles, local maple syrup in their granola, and local maple sugar and Cabot butter in their toffee.

It would be hard to pick just one favorite chocolate bar flavor, so we recommend you grab a bunch and have a nice of chocolate tasting with friends. How can you choose between Dark Chocolate Coffee Toffee or the Love Bar…of course the salt caramel bar is good, too. Just buy a bunch and hide them in the cupboard so your kids won’t find them! Then you can savor them secure in the knowledge that they are yours and yours alone. 

Another aspect of their business is the focus on raising money for local causes. Owner Jaquelyn will often come out with special chocolates to raise money for local causes or nonprofits important to her and her team.  Recently they made a chocolate pop of Ceres, the Goddess of Agriculture. A portion of the proceeds of each Ceres-shaped chocolate pop goes to Friends of the Vermont State House, a non-profit that supports the State House. The art and chocolate design for their new project, “Divine Feminine,” raises money for Planned Parenthood. They hope to raise over $100,000.

So stop by pick up some granola and sample chocolate. We dare you to buy just one.  

Hive Studio 

hive 3shot 1

Visit this local artists collective featuring hand made jewelry, paintings, clothing, woodwork, furniture, and so much more. This store is full of unique and beautiful pieces of art by mostly local artists. Stop in, you’ll always find something new to see.

The Mud Studio

Mud Pottery is a place to get your hands dirty. It is a full service pottery studio with classes for adults and kids. There is also gallery space and an event area.

Community Events

Since taking over the location, the owners of Camp Meade have made it a point to organize events to bring together the folks in Middlesex, as well as to draw new visitors to the area during these celebrations.  Stay tuned for more events this year – they are sure to be fun! 

Eat Up At The Green

Their first event held every Sunday last summer was “Eat up at the Green.” Visitors enjoyed evenings full of live music, local food, and lots of fun activities. 

campnmead2

Winter S’morestice Celebration

The recently held Winter S’morestice celebration, was Camp Meade’s version of the Holidays, New Year’s, and Solstice Celebration all wrapped up into one evening culminating in building the world’s largest s’more. Red Hen Bakery baked the graham crackers, Nutty Stephs supplied the chocolate. 

campmead1

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Après Ski in Stowe

Vermont has a lot of ski towns, but there is no ski town like Stowe. We went to the experts to find out the best dishes and local pairings for your après-ski adventures.  Between the cideries, the breweries and the many restaurants, food and drink pairings here are taken seriously. Whether you snowboard, downhill ski, nordic ski or prefer to stay back at the lodge for a spa day après-ski is for everyone. And no place does it like Stowe.  

Doc Ponds

Beer nerds, food nerds, and music nerds rejoice! With over 1000 records, a rotating list of 24 beers on tap and over 50 bottles and cans to choose from you can’t go wrong here. (Did we mention the wine and cocktail menu?) Put your snowboard away and head over right now. Enjoy the tunes, have a beverage and relax with food that is sure to get you ready for your next round on the slopes.

 

Here is Chef Josh Bard’s recommendation.

My choice for an apres dish would be our Gose steamed mussels.  They are great as a shared dish. We steam large Maine mussels with Lost Nation Gose, toasted almond, celery and a garlic herb butter.  The dish is finished with grilled Elmore Mountain bread. It can be paired with several different beverages. Currently, we have Lost Nation’s The Wind on draft, which is their Gose dry hopped with Citra hops and aged with organic grapefruit.  The citrus and sour notes of the beer compliment and carry the flavor profile of the warm Mussel broth. You also can’t go wrong with a Doc Burger and a Hill Farmstead Edward.

 

Tres Amigos

Head over to Tres Amigos for live music and Mexican food inspired by the local community.

 

tres amigos tacos2

Megan Maher general manager gave us her favorite way to celebrate after a day at the slopes.

Here is a photo of our brisket tacos. It is slow braised beef brisket, with sauteed peppers and onions, and cheesy queso. We paired it with our “Hot Fuzz” a spicy peach and habanero margarita. We chose these because the spicy margarita will warm your insides right up after a chilly day on the slopes, and the cheesy brisket tacos are a perfect way to fuel up and fill up after hitting the hill.    

 

Idletyme Brewing Company

 The folks over at Idletyme plan their menu and the beers they brew in-house to naturally pair together, but how do you choose?  Don’t worry they have you covered. They shared their favorite way to enjoy your post skiing adventures.  If you happen to visit in the summertime, be sure to pay a visit to their dog-friendly patio right off the Stowe bike path.

idletyme wings2

Attached is a picture of our Sriracha Wings and a Brew-Ski Sampler. We find it to be a great apres ski dish because it is perfect for sharing with all of your friends while you are reliving stories of a great day on the mountain. Our Sriracha wings pair great with a brew-ski sampler, giving you a chance to try multiple of our freshly brewed selections, and giving you a chance to decide your favorite.

 

Prohibition Pig

Just down the road from Stowe in Waterbury is a can’t miss stop on your beer adventures. 

propig poutine2

Chef Cory Swoffard offers his take on a classic pairing, perfect after a day with friends on the slopes. Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a growler of your favorite in house brew to enjoy later.

My suggestion for an après-ski dish at Prohibition Pig would be our poutine.  We top an order of our duck fat french fries with local cheddar curds from Maplebrook Farm and a house made shallot gravy. There are some optional toppings to add plenty of variety as well.  For a beer pairing, I’d recommend our Downtown Piggy Brown.  It’s an American brown ale full of roasted and nutty notes that play well with the hearty comfort foods you’d want after a long day on the mountain. We find the smooth, caramel notes on the finish really compliment the earthy sweetness of the Vermont butter and cheese in the poutine, while the light hoppy bitterness cuts through the richness of the gravy.  While it pairs nicely with the poutine, it’s just as comfortable sitting next to a plate of any of our smoked meats.

 

And these are just a few of your apres ski choice spots in the area. Be sure to stop by  TheBench  Stowe Cider, The Alchemist, Von trapp brewery for even more adventures in food and local libations.

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Vermont Gift Giving for your Favorite People

When you find yourself in the whirlwind of last-minute gift shopping, or for those people who have everything, consider our recommendations below! This kind of shopping is not limited to the holidays.  Here are some of our favorite gifts to give that are fun ways to enjoy local food and drink.

Take a class

Instead of wrapping a gift, give a class or workshop this year.  You can plan a private class with friends or attend a pasta class with Odyssey Events VT in Bridgwater. For all your baking friends, you can’t go wrong with a visit and a class at King Arthur Flour in Norwich or Brot Bakehouse School & Kitchen in Fairfax.  Richmond Community Kitchen, City Market/Onion River Coop, and The Essex also offer a rotating list of classes for all ages.

Have fun at a festival

We have some of the best food and drink festivals in the country. There is a food event for everyone on your list.  Coming up in February is a Wine and Chocolate weekend. Vermont winemakers and chocolate makers pair up for a sweet weekend of special tastings. Take your favorite beer lover to a beer festival. Save the date for the Burlington Vermont Brewers Festival in July or buy your tickets today for the Vermont Brewers Festival in Killington in March.  Vermont Fresh Network holds their Annual Forum dinner the first Sunday in August. The Vermont Cheesemakers Festival is a week later and one of the top food and wine events in the country. Why not take your favorite person to both?

Stay at a farm

Book a week or weekend at your favorite Vermont farm. Farm stays are a great chance to get a taste of farm life. There are farms all over the state that offer you a chance to experience the many aspects of farm life and see the beauty of Vermont.

Make dinner plans

Bring your special person to their favorite restaurant or buy a gift certificate and put it in their stocking.

Travel the backroads

Plan a trip on the Lake Champlain Tasting Trail. Spend a weekend visiting your favorite breweries and cideries, or build your own trail and plan your adventures.

Build a gift basket

Our local food markets have you covered!

Share your favorite libations

Pick up a growler or two of wine, beer, or cider and/or visit your favorite distillery and share the love. 

Last minute shopping for gifts isn’t limited to the holidays.  Keep these ideas in your back pocket and you’ll always know what to get your favorite people.

Source: Dig in VT Trails

New Year’s Eve! Celebrate 2019 Vermont-style.

Ring in the new year local-style with a meal at a Vermont Fresh Network restaurant. Whether you prefer lively parties, quiet candlelit dinners, or opulent feasts – VFN chefs have you covered. Make a reservation today! 

North & Central 

Bistro de Margot, Burlington
Enjoy a five course French feast in downtown Burlington to bid adieu to 2018. View menu.

Hotel Vermont, Burlington

Put your dancing shoes on and join us for our annual New Years Eve party! Ring in the New Year to the sounds of the Phil Abair Band and DJ CRE-8. There will be heavy hors-d’oeuvres, a coffee/dessert bar, and a champagne toast at midnight! Buy your tickets today.

The Essex Resort, Essex 

Indulge in hors d’oeuvres, food stations, dessert bar, midnight champagne toast, and dance the night away to the sounds of DJ Fattie-B. More info.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe

Enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember with dinner, fireworks, a torchlight parade, DJ, and photo booth. More info.

Charlie B’s, Stowe
Ring in the New Year with a magical family celebration or a festive multi-course dinner. Learn more.

Edson Hill, Stowe
Dine in exquisite style and ring in the new year in picturesque Stowe. View menu

Mary’s Restaurant at the Inn at Baldwin Creek, Bristol 
Ring in 2019 with old world glamour and style – Mary’s is throwing a roaring 20s NYE party and dinner! Learn more.

Michael’s on the Hill, Waterbury Center
At Michael’s, they pull out all the stops for a festive NYE complete with live music and champagne. View menu. 

Norwich Inn, Norwich 
Enjoy the uniquely crafted NYE menu and, maybe, stay the night! View menu.

South  

Dorset Inn, Dorset
Enjoy a five course prix-fixe menu followed by a Champagne toast, party favors, dancing & singing the night away with the Mowgli Gianniitti Trio. Learn more.

Duo Restaurant, Brattleboro
Choose your adventure with a special menu filled with delicious choices. View menu. 

Echo Lake Inn, Ludlow.
Delicious NYE dining awaits you in Ludlow. View menu

Red Clover Inn and Restaurant, Mendon 
Ring in 2019 with a spectacular feast, live jazz, and a champagne toast! View menu.

Inn at Weathersfield, Perkinsville 
Three-courses and live jazz for a memorable and cozy NYE. View menu. 

However you celebrate, we at Vermont Fresh Network wish you a happy new year filled with Vermont-grown food. 

Source: Dig in VT Trails

Holiday Gift Baskets that Celebrate Vermont and the Season

We all want to give gifts that people will enjoy.  This year, enjoy building a gift box or basket filled with local specialty food.  In Vermont, we have award winning cheese, beer, cider, jam, and so much more. So how do you choose what to give?  We decided to speak to the experts!

When we asked a few of our favorite Vermont food markets to build a holiday gift basket with their Vermont specialty food picks, we knew that Vermont had a lot to offer.  And now we have proof! It’s no surprise that each market offered us a completely different list of their favorite local specialty foods.

Craftsbury General Store, Craftsbury

The Craftsbury General Store is a community gathering place that carries an ever-growing list of local ingredients and products on their shelves and in their deli case made by local artisans, farmers, and food producers. 

Craftsbury General owner, Kit Basom, chose these favorites for your holiday gift basket!

  • Northwoods Apiaries Raw Honey
    This smooth and creamy honey hits the sweet spot! Add a touch to your tea or toast.

  • Burke Mountain Confectionery Maple Truffles
    These melt-in-your-mouth morsels are the ideal indulgence.

  • Jan’s Farmhouse Crisps
    Add a bit of flair to your holiday cheese platter with these fun crackers.

  • SAP!
    Wash down those holiday treats with a light and refreshing can of SAP maple seltzer. Or substitute for tonic water for a twist on your favorite mixed drink.

  • Local Maple Syrup
    Who doesn’t need a little extra supply of Vermont liquid gold?

  • Tom Knows Salsa
    All the flavors of summer, packed into a jar to enjoy with some mid-winter snacks.

  • High Mowing Microgreens Seeds
    Add an interactive element to your gift basket with these grow-your-own microgreens.

Harvest Market, Stowe

Harvest Market is a gourmet shop that offers a great selection of chocolates, wonderful cheeses, meats, wine, beer, local produce, and specialty food items. (When you visit, be sure to have some of their wonderful bread and desserts baked in-house.)

General manager Maddy Bertrand-Gerndt says the following.

Harvest Market sells many items that are local and ideal for gift baskets!

  • Fat Toad Farms goat caramels in fun holiday packages
  • Gateway Farms Maple Products 
  • Local cheese such as Trapp’s Oma, Consider Bardwell Farms Rupert & Pawlet, and Lazy Lady Farms specialty goat & cow holiday releases  
  • Stocking stuffers from Owl energy Bars of VT, “owl bites”
  • Mini jars of honey and maple from local producers
  • Special mints, confections
  • Tavernier Chocolates of VT and Bien Fait Cakes of VT – brandied fruitcakes, and chocolate lover’s cakes.
  • Our In-house Bouche de Noel garnished with marzipan owls and sugared cranberries and greenery
  • Charcuterie platters with Spanish Serrano, roasted tomatoes, and specialty cheeses
  • Vermont beer & cider, including Boyden Valley Winery, Eden Specialty Ciders 

Cabot Farmers’ Store, Waterbury Center

This store is a can’t miss stop on Vermont’s famous RT. 100. Here you’ll find local cheese, jam, crackers, beer, wine, and many other specialty food from Vermont. Here are manager Margo Sayah’s favorite additions to a holiday gift basket.

cabot basket2

  • Cabot Private Stock Cheddar – This cheese has a smooth texture and is a clean, full-flavored Cheddar. Tasty on its own but also good with syrup drizzled on it or serve with a dab of jam.

  • Cabot Artisan Reserve Cheddar – This is Cabot’s hand selected 3-year aged Cheddar. (See above)

  • Cabot Smoky Bacon Cheddar – This hickory-smoked Cheddar and bacon combo is even more yummy when paired with summer sausage.

  • Castleton Crackers, Simply Wheat – Great cracker to eat with cheese and summer sausage or salami. Also delicious with Cheddar and jam or maple syrup.

  • Vermont Smoke & Cure Summer Sausage – Wonderful addition to a party platter.

  • Vermont Salumi Fennel Salami – This aromatic salami has a dusting of ground fennel seeds.

  • Potlicker Kitchen Raspberry Smoked Maple Jam – This raspberry jam is sweetened with maple syrup and infused with hardwood smoke.

  • Vermont Epicurean Country Mustard – Serve with pretzels or meat.

  • Distler’s Spicy Pretzels – We love the story of Distler’s. Plus these spicy pretzels are delicious!

  • Butternut Mountain Farm Sweet Bourbon Maple Syrup – Try it drizzled on Cheddar for a treat.

  • Lincoln Peak Marquette – Every party basket needs a little wine. This rich, dry red has smooth tannins. Try it with hearty dishes or have it with appetizers.

Mad River Taste Place, Waitsfield

The Mad River Taste Place is a learning center, tasting gallery, retail store, and gathering place focused on local, artisan food and drink. Retail Manager and Head cheesemonger Mary Tuthill builds a lot of gift baskets for folks.

Mary says…

Here is a list of what we like to put into gift baskets.  We like to do a well rounded product selection, so we try to include sweet and savory items.  Here’s an example of a basket we would do:

  • It’s Arthur’s Fault Rodeo BBQ Sauce – we love this because it is amazingly delicious.  You can use it for all the usual BBQ things, but you can also use it in meatloaf, cooking veggies, or eating right out of the jar.
  • Quayl’s Chocolates Buttercrunch – Nothing says special gift, like buttercrunch from Quayl.

  • Butterfly Bakery Heady Topper Mustard – Everyone knows about Heady Topper and Vermont Butterfly Bakery has added the beer to their whole grain mustard and it’s magic.

  • Karen’s Artisan Popcorn – This is such a fun product – comes in different flavors and all the corn is from VT or Quebec and it is Non-GMO, and organic where she can.

  • Tonewood Maple Flakes – Vermont is so well known for its maple products and the maple flakes are a fun and unique way to enjoy your maple!  Use on yogurt, ice cream, salads, etc.

  • Ariel’s Honey Infusions – Raw, Vermont honey infused with herbs and spices all grown on Ariel’s farm.  Perfect for teas, cheese boards, yogurt, etc.

  • Shelburne Farms 3 Year Cheddar – we love this right now – flavor and texture are exactly what you expect in an aged cheddar.  It is also a crowd pleaser so any recipient is sure to love this.

  • Babette’s Table Saucission Sec – Traditional French style salami made with all Vermont pork, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper.  This pairs amazingly well with the Shelburne cheddar (or most any cheese!) grapes and beer!

  • We also ask if they would like to add alcohol – we have some really beautiful bottled Vermont ciders, wine, and of course anything from Mad River Distillers or Barr Hill.  In the cold weather season, we love to send people home with Mad River Distillers Maple Cask Rum to add to their favorite Vermont eggnog!

Check out Mary’s favorite hard ciders.

Source: Dig in VT Trails