Killington Resort partners with Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) to expand food access with local products helping farms in the region and those facing food insecurity
KILLINGTON—Killington Resort announced on Aug. 26, a farm-to-trunk community grocery giveaway happening on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., or until all 700 bags have been given away, at Pico Mountain, 73 Alpine Drive, Mendon, Vermont. The 100% locally sourced grocery giveaway is in partnership with VFFC and funded by a $50,000 donation from the Killington Play It Forward Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation to VFFC and Thomas Dairy.
“We realize farmers have lost much of their distribution network with restaurants in the state running at reduced capacity, so we’re excited to partner with Vermont Farmers Food Center and provide products purchased directly from local Vermont farms,” said Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “By supporting our local farms and those experiencing food insecurities, we hope to strengthen our community and inspire others to take action.”
In mid-March, Killington donated food from the resort’s kitchens to employees and ambassadors. Since then, Killington has continued to feed staff and the community through food giveaways in partnership with the Town of Killington and Castleton University with plans to make an additional $50,000 donation to expand on monthly food insecurity programs.
The Farm-to-Trunk Food Giveaway will include 100% locally sourced products through VFFC including:
• Milk from Thomas Dairy (Rutland, VT)
• Vegetables from Evening Song Farm (Shrewsbury, VT), Yoder Farm (Danby, VT), Boardman Hill Farm (Rutland, VT), Otter Point Farm (West Haven, VT) and Singing Cedars Farm (Orwell, VT)
• Yogurt from Larson Farm and Creamery (Wells, VT)
• Eggs, bacon and ground beef from Windy Meadows (Whitehall, NY)
• Ground beef from Squier Family Farm (Tinmouth, VT) and Davis Farms (West Rutland, VT)
• Sweet corn from Brown’s Orchard and Farmstand (Castleton, VT)
• Goat milk feta cheese and yogurt from Ice House Farm (Goshen, VT)
• Honey and maple syrup from Elmore Mountain Maple Works (North Chittenden, VT) and Brookside Estate (Orwell, VT)
• Bread from Ooh La La Bakery and Creperie (Chittenden, VT)
• Garlic from Quill Hill Farm (Poultney, VT)
• Cheese from Vermont Farmstead (Windsor, VT)
• Flour from King Arthur Baking Company (Norwich, VT)
“With Covid-19, our farm is looking at a 50% income loss due to the cancelation of all festivals and events,” said Laura Ramos of Quill Hill Farm. “Working with Killington and VFFC on the ‘Farm-to-Trunk’ project has allowed us an outlet to sell a large volume of product and get it into the hands and mouths of local Vermonters that need it most. It is always wonderful to work with organizations like this that can navigate the distribution of local food systems – something that we desperately need more of in our community.”
“Elmore Mountain Maple Works is pleased to have been chosen to participate in this program that is helping so many families in the Killington area,” says John Bodin of Elmore Mountain Maple Works. “For a small, local family business, this is a wonderful way for us to introduce ourselves to the community and we are very grateful for the opportunity to support the VFFC’s work.”
“The pandemic exposed the fragility of the US food system and the need to strengthen the local food network,” says Rich Larson of Larson Farm and Creamery. “Thank you to the Killington ‘Farm-to-Trunk’ project for introducing area families to quality locally-produced foods.”