The trend in foods is to “buy local,” and states like Vermont and Texas have created a network to support this, with logos that help alert consumers when a business is a participating partner in the program. The Vermont Fresh Network was created in 1997 with help from the New England Culinary Institute and the Department of Agriculture.
GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up
In Texas, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is asking chefs and restaurant owners who buy local ingredients to participate in the third annual GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up, presented by Farm Credit, Sept. 27 - Oct. 1. During the statewide dine-out week, restaurants are invited to offer special Texas menu items or a Texas food-and-wine pairing. During the event, consumers around the state will be encouraged to dine out in support of Texas chefs, farmers, ranchers and food banks.
"We invite chefs around the state to step up to the Lone Star plate and serve the best of Texas," Commissioner Staples said. "The GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up helps everyone stay connected to the land around them while enjoying Texas-grown products at local restaurants and supporting Texas food banks. It provides chefs the opportunity to highlight the bounty of quality ingredients offered by our hardworking agriculture producers."
Launched in January 2008, the GO TEXAN Restaurant Program includes more than 500 establishments. To qualify, restaurants must be located in Texas and serve Texas products.
Both state programs offer these benefits to restaurants:
- websites, advertisements, directories and newsletters;
- opportunities to participate in farm tours around the state.
The GO TEXAN program was launched by the Texas Department of Agriculture in 1999 to promote the products, culture and communities of Texas. The easily recognizable mark— a glowing brand in the shape of Texas — taps into Lone Star loyalty, working to persuade the 24 million Texans who shop, dine and travel to choose the state's bounty.
From salsa to sausage, ice cream to refried beans and sweets to smoked meats, suffice it to say that food is a big industry in Texas. The Texas Food Marketing program, along with regional field marketing staff, helps build recognition for GO TEXAN and Texas foods through a wide variety of activities, including:
- a strong Texas presence at state and national trade shows. GO TEXAN signs, lights, promotional materials and special activities help draw crowds for the Texas companies exhibiting at the show.
- vendors interested in Texas food products with the GO TEXAN members that produce them.
Vermont Fresh Network
The mission of the Vermont Fresh Network is to “develop solutions for chefs and farmers to market more locally grown food.” The VFN goal is to build innovative partnerships among farmers, chefs and consumers to strengthen Vermont agriculture.
A strong farm economy creates local jobs, provides nutritious food and preserves the close-knit communities of the state. The Vermont Fresh Network helps Vermont farms and restaurants team up to provide the freshest local food at restaurants.
To become a VFN partner, farmers need at least one VFN member restaurant that they agree to sell to on a regular basis. Restaurants, chefs, food co-ops with cafes, and non-commercial food service qualify to be a member if they have at least three VFN member farmers and/or food producers that they agree to source from on a regular basis..
One example of a farm member is Shuttleworth Farm, LLC, in Westfield, Vermont. Owner Todd Shuttleworth grows lamb which he sells to more than 28 food buyers and VFN partners. Most are restaurants, some are co-op stores.
He wrote, “We are delighted to be able to offer our premium product to the finest establishments in New England. We feel that we can provide you with a consistent, quality product that you will be proud to serve your guests and customers. What better way to draw in business than to advertise, ‘Local, Vermont-Raised, All-Natural, Grass-Fed.’”
Consumers have become better educated about the food they eat, both in terms of the quality and the environmental conditions in which it is produced. A large part of that equation is where the food has come from, how far it has to travel to get on a plate for dinner. Programs like the Vermont Fresh Network and Go Texan help consumers make smart choices and to feel good about spending money as they know it is directly supporting their local farmers.
Sherry Williams - Sherry (Russell) Williams of Bay City, Texas grew up on a 200 acre farm in Vermont, where her brother still has horses, does haying, and ...
