VFFC reopens Farmers Hall and welcomes the return of the winter farmers’ market

RUTLAND — The Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) welcomed the community back into Farmers Hall on Nov. 2. “We are incredibly happy to host the Winter Farmers Market again in Farmers Hall,” said an enthusiastic Heidi Lynch, the VFFC’s executive director.

During the renovation of the VFFC buildings at the former industrial site at 251 West Street in Rutland, an environmental assessment discovered an air quality issue in Farmers Hall, a remnant of the historic building’s past use. The discovery initiated a three-year environmental remediation process for the project, which allowed VFFC to clean up the former industrial site for the community. 

The Vermont Department of Economic Development’s Brownfield Revitalization Fund, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission provided over $800,000 in funding for the remediation work.

Lynch stated, “We couldn’t have completed this remediation process without our partners. This is a milestone that allows us to move forward with next steps in our site redevelopment plan that VFFC is currently working on renovating the interior and exterior of Farmers Hall. Renovation work will not interfere with the Winter Farmers Market on weekends.”

As renovations are completed in the coming months, the 14,000-square-foot Farmers Hall and community kitchen will be ready to rent again for community groups and culinary entrepreneurs. Production space will be available for lease to local food businesses, and the main hall will be rented for events.

Lyle Jepson, executive director of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region stated, “It is with excitement that we all welcome the Winter Market back to its home at the Vermont Farmers Food Center. This is a very positive step forward for the future redevelopment of this important economic driver in our region.”

In addition to the Saturday Farmer’s Market, the VFFC will host a holiday fair on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vermont Farmers Food Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the community in 2012 to increase access to and availability of locally produced food in the Rutland County region. For more information about VFFC, go to vermontfarmersfoodcenter.org.