Northshire Grown: Direct

Huge Thanks to our Northshire Farmers and Community

This appeared in June issues of the Manchester Journal and the Bennington Banner.

In April 2020, as Covid-19 blanketed the region and the Pandemic started in earnest, a local food project was launched in DorsetNorthshire Grown: Direct. This “single point of contact” food purchasing platform provided a way for area residents to support farmers and food producers while accessing products in a safe, manageable way. The project tested the concept of “direct to consumer” sales at scale and more importantly strengthened our community through nourishment during an uncertain time filled with anxiety and isolation.

Northshire Grown: Direct has impacted the region in many ways - our farmers have explored a new market channel, our customers have had expanded access to healthy, fresh foods and our neighbors in need have been sustained thanks to the generosity of customers and farmers alike. Farm business viability has been made stronger, as has consumer education about the power of local food systems. Our regional foodshed and our Northshire community has grown, one box at a time.

Thank you Northshire farmers and food producers - for your partnership, for your willingness to feed our community in a new format, for your pluck, fortitude, creativity and dedication to your work. We have loved every minute of working with you all. Producers include Clearbrook Farm, Dutchess Farm, Duttons Farmstead, Earth Sky Time Community Farm, Laughing Child Farm, Mighty Food Farm, Yoder Farm. Dairy producers include Gammelgarden Creamery, North Meadow Farm, Larson Farm and Middletown Farm. Pasture raised meats suppliers include Deep Roots Farm, Levy Lamb, Mountbrook Farm, Someday Farm and Walnut Hill Farm among others. Key value added producers include Mettowee Valley Maple, Tall Cat Coffee, Vermont Fresh Pasta and Maplebrook Farm. A full list of participants can be found at northshiregrown.com.

Deep appreciation and gratitude goes out to the many people and organizations who have made Northshire Grown: Direct work. Special thanks to Merck Forest & Farmland Center for providing administrative support; to JK Adams, Dorset Players, Dorset Playhouse and Dorset Marble House Project for being such welcoming, wonderful host sites; to Dorset Union Store, Duttons Farmstand and Food Connects for assistance with procurement.

People, however, have made the magic happen. Mara Hearst, Heidi Lynn and Maria Reade have acted as the super glue behind the machine. Marilyn Brockway, Misty Castellano, Michelle Flett, Karin Karol, Marsha Key, Susan Romano and Jennifer Taylor among others have made countless pickups as well as helping with packing and distribution at markets. To you all, thank you so much for your amazing volunteerism, assistance and enthusiasm in making everything hum. Heidi and Maria, these markets wouldn’t have happened without you.

Community connectors distributed NG:D boxes to families in need of extra food support - Battenkill Community Health Center, Dorset Church, Mettawee Community School, Peru Congregational Church, Rupert Food Pantry, Smokey House Center. Their dedication to their work and their customers is inspirational.

Northshire Grown: Direct markets will take a break this summer to allow local venues to take center stage - farmers markets, farm stands, independent groceries and farms. A map of regional farms can be found at northshiregrown.com. Visit and support them!

Our area’s food shed is amazing. We are lucky to live in such a fertile, productive place. Look for a local food promotion campaign via social media and online at northshiregrown.com this summer. And get out there and take advantage of everything our diverse and delicious farm and food region has to offer. Buy local, enjoy local!

Liz Ruffa, Project Director Northshire Grown: Direct, a project of Merck Forest & Farmland Center