Eat Local This Summer

By John Tashiro, General Manager

Happy imminent summer! The official start of the season is just a few weeks away signaled by the recent string of hot weather days, schools drawing to a close and an array of outdoor events and activities on offer throughout the state! I particularly love our amazing farmers’ markets which provide great gathering places for the community around food, family, friends and fun! 

Here at the Co-op, our offerings with local produce and Vermont-made products continue to grow. Did you know that local products are now reaching close to 40% of our monthly sales? This is another great example of how you, our Members and customers, recognize the value of local and invest in its benefits through your purchases at the Co-op.  It’s certainly not surprising to hear that Vermont ranks first in the nation for its commitment to raising and eating local food followed by Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon and Massachusetts (according to a 2015 Strolling of the Heifers Locavore Index, which relies on US Department of Agriculture and Census figures). 

This brings to mind another significant initiative pioneered here in Vermont: the nation’s first mandatory GMO labeling law, Act 120, which goes into effect in Vermont on July 1. The Co-op strongly supported passage of Act 120 as a benefit to Members and customers. As a Co-op, we believe that our Members and customers make food choices for a variety of reasons and we believe that information on those choices should be as transparent as possible. 

Leading up to the July 1 deadline, we are supporting our local vendors with information about how to come into compliance, and we are identifying the foods that we create in-store that would be subject to the labeling requirement. The disclosure, a simple statement that the item was “Produced with Genetic Engineering”, is straightforward enough, but goes a long way to inform consumers about what went into their food. We are already starting to see the labels appear on packages from some major manufacturers, like Campbells, General Mills, and Mars. Indeed, as July 1 approaches, you will see more labels crop up throughout the store.

We’re also continuing work on the South End store and wanted to share some quick updates with you:

• On May 16, we began the demolition process, which should take about 8 weeks

• We’re continuing to make progress on the design plans, both inside and outside the store. We’ve shared plans with Burlington’s Conservation Board and Design Advisory Board.

• We’re scheduled to meeting with the Design Review Board on July 5.

• We shared updated information with Ward 5 residents at their May 19 NPA meeting and had some great opportunities to share updates and hear feedback. 

As always, thank you all for your continued support! We are committed to serve you, our Members and the community, each and every day. I look forward to seeing you at the Co-op and wish you the very best.