All Vermont Fresh Network chefs have to know their farmers and serve products from Vermont, but there are some chefs whose commitment to Vermont-grown products is exceptional. The Gold Barn Honor recognizes the top 25% of the VFN culinary membership in terms of the number of Vermont farmers they partner with, the diversity of Vermont ingredients that they use and the volume of Vermont products they purchase. It is an inspiring group and we are pleased to give them the recognition they deserve. It is our extreme pleasure to announce the 2016 VFN Gold Barn Honorees! [see the complete list at the bottom of the release]
Each Gold Barn Honoree must meet both of the following requirements:
1. Sourcing ingredients from 15 or more Vermont Fresh Network farmers.
2. 35% of annual food purchases come from VT Farmers and Producers or they purchase over $200,000 of Vermont- grown food products annually.
VFN – Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity
VFN has fostered connections between agriculture and culinary professionals for the past twenty years based on interpersonal accountability – all farmer and food producer members have the opportunity to sanction partnership proclamations made by VFN chefs. Having both the farmers and chefs validate their relationship provides checks and balances one expects from a community. As a result, consumers can be assured that declarations made by VFN member chefs about their local purchases have been validated by the farmers that grew the food. According to data collected during our 2016 membership renewal, VFN’s culinary membership purchased over 44 million dollars of Vermont grown and raised food in 2015!
“Vermont Fresh Network members are an important part of building a resilient, human-scale food system that supports and strengthens the communities we live in. Rest assured that you will find Vermont grown and raised food in every member’s kitchen. Dine at a VFN restaurant or looks for VFN farm and producer producers at the market and taste the difference!” said Meghan Sheradin, Executive Director of the Vermont Fresh Network.
Complete list of Gold Barn Honorees by County
Addison County
3 Squares Café, Vergennes
American Flatbread- Middlebury Hearth, Middlebury
Bar Antidote, Vergennes
Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes
Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op & Café, Middlebury
Bennington County
The Reluctant Panther Inn & Restaurant, Manchester
Chittenden County
Bleu Northeast Seafood, Burlington
Catering by Dale, Shelburne
City Market / Onion River Coop, Burlington
El Cortijo Taqueria Y Cantina, Burlington
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill, Burlington
Guild Tavern, South Burlington
Healthy Living Market and Café, South Burlington
Hen of the Wood-Burlington, Burlington
Inn at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Juniper Bar and Restaurant at Hotel Vermont, Burlington
The Kitchen Table Bistro, Richmond
Leunig’s Bistro, Burlington
Misery Loves Co., Winooski
Natural Provisions Market & Deli, Williston
The Skinny Pancake, Burlington
Sugarsnap, South Burlington
University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington
UVM Dining at Sodexo, Burlington
Franklin County
Phineas Swann, Montgomery Center
Lamoille County
Doc Ponds, Stowe
Harvest Market, Stowe
Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe
Stowe Mountain Resort-Cliff House, Stowe
Orleans County
Sterling College, Craftsbury Common
Rutland County
Red Clover Inn and Restaurant, Mendon
Vermont Farms Catering/The Backroom, Pittsfield
Washington County
American Flatbread at Lareau Farm, Waitsfield
Hen of the Wood-Waterbury, Waterbury
Inn at the Round Barn Farm/Cooking from the Heart, Waitsfield
The Kitchen at The Store, Waitsfield
Michael’s on the Hill, Waterbury Center
Red Hen Baking Co., Middlesex
The Skinny Pancake-Montpelier, Montpelier
Windham County
duo Restaurant, Brattleboro
Halladays Harvest Barn Inn, Bellows Falls
Putney Food Co-op, Putney
SoLo Farm and Table, South Londonderry
Williamsville Eatery, Williamsville
Windsor County
Coleman Brook Tavern at Okemo, Ludlow
Echo Lake Inn, Ludlow
Farmhouse Inn at Robinson Farm, Woodstock
The Inn at Weathersfield, Perkinsville
Jackson House Inn, Woodstock
King Arthur Flour Bakery and Café, White River Junction
Twin Farms, Barnard
Woodstock Farmers’ Market, Woodstock
