Vermont Soap is basking in the Member Deals Spotlight this week! From October 31-November 6, member-owners enjoy a 20% discount on all of their organic, locally-made body care and cleaning products, so it’s a great time to stock up and save. Read on to learn more about this company on a mission to help us keep clean using natural non-toxic alternatives to the chemical-based personal care products on the market.
History
More than 20 years ago, Vermont Soap Founder and self-proclaimed “Soapman” Larry Plesant bought a small environmental products company that also manufactured small amounts of liquid castile soap. The purchase covered little more than the castile soap recipe and a machine that filled the bottles, but the price was right, and the Soapman never looked back. He was driven to create natural soap products as a result of his own challenges with sensitive skin and the lack of options available at the time for individuals who experienced adverse reactions to chemical detergents. From these humble beginnings sprang a vibrant local business that now produces dozens of home and body care products and ships them across the US and beyond.
These days, Vermont Soap has grown by leaps and bounds but continues to pride itself on producing high-quality Certified Organic alternatives to the often irritating, chemical, and detergent-based personal care products now in general use. They manufacture handmade cold process bar soaps for sensitive skin, liquid soaps for body care and home care, the first truly organic shower gels, numerous organic nontoxic cleaners, and much more. As a member of the 1% For The Planet network, Vermont Soap pledges 1% of its sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.
Their website has a handy tool to help you determine your skin type and learn which of their products are best suited to you. Their blog also offers a wealth of resources to help you make the most of your personal and home care products.
Mission Statement:
Vermont Soap recognizes that human beings are now at a critical juncture in relation to our planet and that viable alternatives must be created to lead us into a sustainable future.
Vermont Soap was created to manufacture and market high-quality, unique and natural personal care products of usefulness and value; and to be an example of how corporations can be a tool for positive social change.
Vermont Soap emphasizes the wholeness and integration of the company departments through communication, participation in the growth process, and acceptance of responsibility among co-workers.
Vermont Soap pledges to conduct business in an environmentally aware manner emphasizing reuse and recycling, the use of natural base ingredients, and the application of appropriate technology
Our 48th Annual Meeting and Celebration was a Resounding Success!
On Tuesday, September 10th, a record-breaking number of member owners gathered at American Flatbread for the Co-op’s 48th Annual Meeting.
We heard presentations from our General Manager, Greg Prescott, who updated members on the state of the Co-op at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. Members of the board gave presentations about a variety of policy-governance topics, and both Greg and the Board took questions from member-owners.
In 2024, MNFC became WIC qualified, meaning we can now provide a vital service to families in our community with limited income. To mark this notable achievement, WIC Nutritional Assistant Taylor Murray gave a presentation on the impacts of WIC, and provided figures on how it is utilized by people in Middlebury, Addison County, and across the state of Vermont.
And of course, we were treated to the amazing salads and pizza from American Flatbread!
If you missed the meeting (or even if you didn’t!), keep scrolling to see photos of the event. If you would like a PDF copy of the FY23 Annual Report, you can download it here.
Special thanks to the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op Board for coming together for a rare group photo!
Great coffee shops offer more than a good cup of joe; they provide a pleasant sensory experience for their patrons. It’s hard to deny the allure of the aroma and energy emanating from a great cafe. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing space to pull a caffeine-fueled remote work session or you’re seeking an inviting atmosphere to meet up with friends over a great cup of locally-roasted coffee, we invite you to check out Royal Oak Coffee! We’re thrilled to have Royal Oak as part of our Co-op Connection lineup, offering responsibly sourced, high-quality artisan coffee in a welcoming atmosphere along with a sweet 10% discount for card-carrying Co-op Member-Owners. Read on to learn more about this vibrant local business named to the list of the nation’s best coffee shops by Food and Wine Magazine, and the family that brings it to life:
Armed with 20 years of combined experience in the coffee industry, Matthew and Alessandra Delia-Lobo (known as Matt and Aless to their regulars) opened the doors to Royal Oak Coffee on Middlebury’s Seymour Street in May of 2019. The couple met in a Connecticut coffee shop back in 2011, so it only seems fitting that their lives together since then have revolved around a shared passion for coffee.
Royal Oak Coffee at 30 Seymour Street in MiddleburyRoyal Oak Coffee
Despite having traveled the world exploring coffee and cafe culture from Boston to Italy to Sweeden and the UK, the couple (thankfully) chose unlikely Middlebury as the home for their shop. Why Middlebury? The couple shares that over the course of six years visiting Matt’s mother, who lives here in Vermont’s shire town, they fell in love with the town, the pace, the gorgeous landscape, the kind people, and the sense of community. They decided it would be a great spot to settle, open up shop, and eventually start a family.
Matt behind the counter
At Royal Oak, Matt and Aless exclusively feature beans roasted in Winooski, VT, by Vivid Coffee Roasters. The couple prioritizes supply chain transparency and equity. They feel that the agricultural roots and vibrant local food scene in Addison County foster a community that understands the importance of supporting specific farmers and sustainable methods of production.
The smiling team at Royal Oak
Their cafe is artfully curated to create the kind of welcoming, unpretentious vibe that they feel is more in keeping with the rural Vermont scene. When the business initially launched, Matt and Aless were a team of two, handling all aspects of the business and serving each cup of coffee with a conversation and a smile. This gave them the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and get to know their patrons. As the business and their own family grew, they recognized the need to hire a small team to support cafe operations, but they remain heavily involved with all aspects of the business. As for the name of their cafe, Aless shares that the Royal Oak moniker was a nod to her late father’s business — a reference to the tree where Charles II of England hid during a battle.
According to Aless, “our whole shtick is to do things intentionally, consider everything and be nice. That’s it. We want people to feel like they’re welcome, that their order isn’t wrong or bad because they want decaf or something with sugar in it.” And clearly, they’re onto something. Despite the challenges of opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic, Matt and Aless have managed to keep their community blissfully caffeinated and elevate the coffee conversation along the way. We’re grateful that they’re here and thrilled to have them in the Co-op Connection lineup!
This October, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op joins over 65,000 cooperatives across the country in celebrating Co-op Month. This year’s theme, The Future is Cooperative, emphasizes how co-ops across nearly every industry – from housing and insurance to food and agriculture – are shaping stronger, more inclusive communities through shared ownership and values.
The cooperative model stands apart from other business structures because it is owned by the people it serves, ensuring that our priorities reflect the needs of our community, not the demands of outside investors. While traditional businesses are focused on maximizing profits for shareholders, co-ops operate with values that emphasize community involvement, member participation, and collective responsibility, ensuring our operations benefit both our members and society as a whole. Most co-ops, including MNFC, voluntarily adopt seven core international principles to guide their mission and operations.
Bags of fresh produce (subsidized in part by donations from MNFC) from Farmacy, a program that provides free CSAs to limited-income Vermonters prescribed produce by their doctors.
Food co-ops in particular play a vital role in local economies. According to the 2023 Food Co-op Impact Report by National Co+op Grocers (NCG), co-ops across the country generate $2.5 billion in annual sales, with 38% coming from organic products. Vermont food co-ops alone sold over $43 million in local products last year. At MNFC, local products made up 33% of our sales in 2023, down from 38% the previous year, largely due to late summer flooding that destroyed thousands of acres of local crops. MNFC honored all existing contracts with producers by purchasing as much as they could provide, even if it differed from the previously agreed-upon volume. In some cases, we paid higher costs to ensure that our local farmers received the support they needed during these difficult times.
Environmental stewardship is another area where food co-ops are committed to making a difference. Simply purchasing food from local suppliers makes a huge impact, cutting down on fossil fuel consumption and pollution from long-distance food transport. At chain supermarkets, most food travels over 1,500 miles, consuming massive amounts of fuel and energy for shipping, refrigeration, and packaging. Fewer “food miles” mean fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less harm to the environment.
Spoilage is always a challenge in the food industry, and reducing food waste is of paramount importance to reducing our carbon footprint. MNFC is proud to have donated over $89,000 worth of food to local food shelves HOPE and CVOEO in FY23. This food is completely good, but may be approaching a sell-by date or have minor blemishes that disqualify it from being sold. Food unfit for human consumption is not sent to the landfill – instead it’s picked up by local farmers to feed their animals. Whatever is left—like coffee grounds and meat scraps—is collected by Casella Waste Management to be composted. These efforts not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food waste in landfills but also ensure that the energy used to produce this food doesn’t go to waste. Individual departments are always thinking of new ways to improve as well, and this year our bulk department introduced the Bring a Jar, Leave a Jar program, which encourages customers to donate unwanted clean glass jars to be sanitized by our staff for re-use by other customers. Jars are free to take, and so far the program has been a very popular success!
MNFC’s Bring a Jar, Leave a Jar program encourages customers to donate clean glass jars for re-use by other customers.
The cooperative model traces its roots to the labor struggles of the industrial revolution and has long been a tool for creating economic opportunity for marginalized communities. From Civil Rights activists to local farmers, people across industries have used co-ops to build fairer and stronger systems. Shared ownership strengthens the bond between co-ops and their communities, ensuring that decisions reflect core values like openness, social responsibility, and concern for others.
As we celebrate Co-op Month, it’s clear that the cooperative model is more than a business structure—it’s a blueprint for a more equitable and sustainable future. Whether it’s food, housing, finance, or energy, co-ops across the board are leading the way through collective ownership, social responsibility, and a commitment to sustainability, building a better tomorrow for everyone.
Throughout the month, we’ll be promoting some of our favorite Co-op-made products that are actively growing a more inclusive economy. Check out our Weekly Sale and Member Deals displays October 17-23 for deals from co-op owned companies, and be sure to clip the $3 off any co-op owned product coupon in the October 17th Addison Independent.
To find co-op-made products throughout the store, look for the “Co-op Trade” signs (like the blue circle above) on the shelves. You might be surprised to learn how many co-op owned companies there are! Cabot Creamery Co-op and Organic Valley, Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, and avocados from Equal Exchange, La Riojana wines, orange juice from Florida’s Natural, body care products from Alaffia, naturally fermented vegetables from Real Pickles – they’re all co-ops!
Co-op Made Products that are also part of our Co-op Basics Program
Thanks to the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA), when you join our Co-op anytime throughout the month of October, you’ll become eligible to win a two-night farm stay at Cabot Farm and Inn, or one of three Cabot ultimate gift boxes. New and existing members can enter to win this Co-op Month giveaway by clicking here.
For a deep dive into the relevance of co-operatives to the economic and social challenges we face and their contributions to a more just, equitable, and sustainable world, check out this webinar from NFCA director Erbin Crowell:
This month we’re shining an extra bright Member Deals Spotlight on Singing Cedars Apiaries! From October 10th – 16th, Co-op member-owners can enjoy a 20% discount on all of Singing Cedars Apiaries’ honey products. Read on to learn more about this family-owned business and their commitment to providing you the best honey the Champlain Valley has to offer.
Singing Cedars Apiaries is a family operation started by native Abenaki Roland (Wants To Be Chief) and his wife Deborah (Little Cloud Big Storm) in the basement of their teepee in 1971. According to their website, they specialize in producing pure raw honey for retail sale, and nucleus colonies and queens both for their own enterprise and to sell to other beekeepers. A feature in American Bee Journal also points out that they sell their beeswax to candle makers and crafters, maximizing the use of every material their bees produce. In true family fashion, Roland, Deborah, and their four children developed this apiary which now manages over 1100 colonies with their grandchildren and Son-in-Laws Christopher (Hates to Bee Sticky) and Tim (Aboriginee) doing much of the work. Deborah was heavily involved with the beekeeping in the beginning, though now she has her hands full managing the office handling all of the orders of honey, queens, and nucs.
Over the years they’ve established authentic relationships with each of the local retail outlets that offer their honey. Roland points out that the customers they’ve served for 20-plus years, with whom they have developed strong working relationships are the foundation of their stable business. Their bees are spread out over both sides of Lake Champlain in both Vermont and New York. Their forage primarily consists of white Dutch clover, honeysuckle, basswood, goldenrod, and asters. In a good year, they’re able to produce 100 – 150 pounds of honey per hive!
Singing Cedars offers a variety of honey products, including creamed honey flavored with natural oils. Their honey is unpasteurized to retain all the natural goodness nature provided in its enzymes and pollen, and unfiltered yet strained to remove any wax and propolis sometimes associated with raw honey to provide a rich smooth product for your enjoyment.
We’re shining our Member Deals Spotlight on a business with humble roots in Vermont where two guys named Ben and Jerry launched their first scoop shop from a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Fast forward a few decades, and Ben &Jerry’s has become a household name across the U.S. and beyond. Member-owners can enjoy a 20% discount on pints of their famous ice cream from August 29th – September 4th as we kick off our Eat Local Challenge! Read on to learn more about the rich history of Ben & Jerry’s and their various ways of giving back:
With a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State and a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of it borrowed), Ben and Jerry open their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont in 1978. By 1980, they decided to rent space in an old spool and bobbin mill on South Champlain Street in Burlington to begin packing their ice cream in pints for distribution to grocery and Mom & Pop stores along the restaurant delivery routes that Ben serviced out of the back of his old VW Squareback wagon. By the following year, they were ready to open their second scoop shop in Shelburne, and in 1982, the original shop changed locations to the iconic shop that still stands on the corner of Church Street and Cherry Street in the heart of downtown Burlington.
Ben & Jerry’s original scoop shop in a renovated Burlington gas station, circa 1978
Over the ensuing decades, the Ben & Jerry’s brand has grown by leaps and bounds but they’ve remained true to their core principles and continue to fiercely advocate for social and environmental causes. Ben & Jerry’s is founded on and dedicated to a sustainable corporate concept of linked prosperity. Central to the Mission of Ben & Jerry’s is the belief that all three parts of its mission must thrive equally in a manner that commands deep respect for individuals inside and outside the Company and supports the communities of which they are a part. One of the first companies in the world to place a social mission in equal importance to its product and economic missions, they focus their advocacy on their core values: human rights and dignity; social and economic justice; and environmental protection; restoration, & regeneration. They believe that business has a responsibility and a unique opportunity to be a powerful lever of change in the world. A Certified B-Corporation, they aim to use traditional and contemporary business tools to drive systemic progressive social change by advancing the strategies of the larger movements that deal with those issues, such as climate justice and social equity.
Big changes for the company came in August of 2020 when Ben & Jerry’s became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever. Through a unique acquisition agreement, an independent Board of Directors was created to provide leadership focused on preserving and expanding Ben & Jerry’s social mission, brand integrity, and product quality in the wake of the leadership transition. They still maintain their flagship factory in Waterbury, VT, which is a must-see destination for a factory tour next time you find yourself traveling that gorgeous stretch of Vermont’s Route 100.
Ben & Jerry’s supports the global Fair Trade movement and is committed to sourcing their vanilla, cocoa, and coffee beans from Fair Trade Certified suppliers. Ben & Jerry’s is also proud to stand with the growing consumer movement for transparency and the right to know what’s in our food supply by supporting mandatory GMO labeling legislation. In 2013, they committed to transitioning all of their ingredients to be fully sourced non-GMO. The folks at Ben & Jerry’s want to support sustainable dairy practices that benefit farmers, farmworkers, cows, and the environment and in October of 2017, they became the first company to adopt and implement the Milk With Dignity Program through their Caring Dairy Program. They’re proud of the positive impact this program has had on the true heroes of Vermont’s dairy industry, the Farmworkers. Through this program, the Farmworkers have seen higher wages, improved work schedules, better time off, and improved housing. We’ll raise a scoop to that!
Winter weather is just around the corner, so it’s a great time to start thinking about winter tires. We invite you to check out our Co-op Connection Business of the Month – County Tire!Not only can they fix you up with new tires, but they also offer a wide range of automotive services and they have a special deal for Co-op member-owners! Present your member card to receive 10% off parts and 5% off tires! Read on to learn more about the oldest locally-owned tire shop in Addison County:
If you need tire or automotive care, trust County Tire Center, Inc! Located at 33 Seymour Street Middlebury, VT 05753, County Tire Center, Inc. is your trusted source for all of your automotive and tire needs. Owners Steve and Lisa are there to ensure that your visit to County Tire Center, Inc. will not only solve all of your automotive needs but will be one that you will be sure to share with others. They take pride in quality service and the ability to meet customers’ needs in a timely manner.
Servicing customers in the greater Champlain Valley of Vermont and New York, County Tire Center, Inc. has the automotive expertise and friendly, reliable service you need to get you back on the road fast! From tire sales and batteries to shocks, struts, brake, and transmission services, they can handle all of your vehicle needs to keep you running in top shape.
With their years of experience, they offer quality parts and services at the best prices possible. They take pride in their work and strive for great customer satisfaction on each visit. Their goal is to keep your vehicle running in the best possible condition and they will not settle for “good enough.” They went into business in order to bring a higher quality to automotive work in the Middlebury area and intend to have each customer leave happy while offering the most competitive prices in the area.
With their excellent selection of Bridgestone, Firestone, and Nokian tires, they can fit any vehicle make and model. They strive to ensure customer satisfaction and vehicle safety and will do whatever it takes to make sure that you and your vehicle only receive top-quality tires and equipment. They understand that your vehicle is a large investment and they welcome your business in protecting that investment.
If you need general automotive services, computerized tire balancing, general tire service, oil changes, brake service, custom auto detailing or performance tires, consider County Tire Center, Inc. Do you have an electric or hybrid vehicle? County Tire Center, Inc. is an authorized Hybrid/EV repair center offering a wide range of services to keep your hybrid or electric vehicle in top condition. Please feel free to contact them at 802-388-7620 or online to discuss the many options and services offered.
How do they stay small and sell big? It’s simple: years of experience. County Tire Center, Inc. has been in business since 1982. Their mission is to offer you the latest in parts and products, at the best prices with unparalleled service. They pledge their best efforts to make your experience both beneficial and enjoyable. Once you try County Tire, we’re sure you’ll be back for more!
As a Co-op shopper, you likely pay close attention to the ingredients in the foods you choose to feed yourself and your family. Reading food product labels has likely become a common part of your shopping experience. But how many of us pay this much attention to the ingredients in the products we put on our bodies? The fact is, much of what we place on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, making it equally important that we become ingredient detectives when choosing personal care products. That’s why we love shedding some light on Middlebury’s own Texture Salon. They’re our featured Co-op Connection Business this month and we’re reminding member-owners that Texture Salon offers 10% off your first visit, whether you’re looking for products or services!
So, what sets Texture Salon apart?
Take it from salon owner, David Warner Jr.:
Since 2001 we have been committed to offering a new kind of salon experience where skin and hair care services are free of toxic ingredients (such as parabens, sodium laurel sulfates, talc, ammonia, formaldehyde, and other toxic agents), ethically- produced/ tested, sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Offering ammonia-free hair color (Chi and Organic colour systems), Karma Organic nail color, Deva Curl, Onesta, Soma, and a full line of Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, at Texture Salon, we aim to provide a truly healthier, superior salon experience. Delicately synthesizing old and new technologies, we use localized air-purification systems, rock salt lamps, utilize state of the color guru Beth Manardi Lighting, and natural plant power to enhance the breathing environment for our clients and staff, and restricting cell phone calls to maintain a serene and comfortable space for all. We support recycling and alternative energy — we have 35 solar panels providing us with power!– and strongly oppose the use of animal-based products and testing.
Supporting our community is important to us. We host two Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics events each year to bring like-minded people together to mingle, share new tips and laugh. We also support local charities such as The United Way.
Whether its hair-coloring, highlights, or skin care, Texture Salon shows how caring for its clients can go hand-in-hand with caring for our environment.
David Warner, Jr. – Excited to begin his career, David graduated from O’Briens School of Cosmetology Class of 1994. His passion for hair color and cutting was quickly challenged when he discovered that he was allergic to many of the products used in mainstream beauty salons. Determined to stay in the field he loved, David opened Texture Salon in 2001. Using ammonia-free, organic, natural products and embracing local, small businesses, he has a special interest in investigating new, alternative hair products. David has studied with Farouk Systems for salons and trade shows and enjoys keeping up to date with hair shows and in-salon classes. “It’s important never to forget why I entered the beauty industry. To have a real connection with my client and make them feel good about themselves.” David has a special passion for corrective hair coloring and curly hair, as well as being certified in Chi Transformation straightening, he has attended the Deva Curl Academy in NYC. When he’s not making clients feel beautiful, he enjoys history documentaries, the peace and quiet of nature, working on his home improvements and traveling with his husband and their retired greyhound “Bruno”.
JoAnna Carter is a native Vermonter and loves living here. She graduated from Salon Professional Academy in 2009 and has enjoyed her last 8 years as a stylist. JoAnna prides herself on custom cuts for men and women as well as the entire family, including small children. Never one to shy away from color, she is well versed in Texture’s full line of Chi and Organic Colors.
We are thrilled to announce that Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op (MNFC) had a profitable year! As a result, we will be issuing patronage dividend checks in late August for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. This is the 9th consecutive year the Co-op has sent dividend checks since members voted to start this system.
As member-owners of the Co-op, its profits belong to you. Patronage dividends are how the Co-op’s profits are equitably shared among members. The patronage dividend is a powerful reminder of the uniqueness of the co-operative grocery model, and what can be achieved when individuals work together as a community.
This year, the total patronage amount is $710,032. The Co-op will reinvest 55% back into the business for maintenance and other short and long-term projects – this becomes part of what we collectively own as member-owners. The remaining 45% will be returned to you – the owners of our grocery store. That’s $319,514 being returned directly to 5,591 of our member-owners!
How big of a check can you expect?
How much you receive is based on how much money you’ve spent at the Co-op during the previous fiscal year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024). Refunds amounting to less than $5 will not be issued, as the cost of processing them exceeds the check value – so not everyone will receive a check. These smaller amounts, totaling $3,517, will instead be donated to our local food shelves, HOPE and CVOEO, where they make a meaningful impact on the well-being of our community. Checks that are left uncashed after 180 days are also donated.
Finally, remember that you can use your dividend to purchase groceries at the Co-op! Just present your endorsed check to the cashier at checkout, and they will deduct the amount from your total.
Thank you for being an essential part of our Co-op community!
We’re shining our Member Deals Spotlight on New Leaf Organics! This local, organic farm not only keeps our produce shelves stocked with an array of fresh seasonal veggies but also supplies us with an abundant array of veggie and herb seedlings each Spring. Perhaps you have a few of them growing in your garden? All of New Leaf Organics products are 20% off for Co-op member-owners from August 8th – 14th, so it’s a great time to stock up on the flavors of summer in Vermont. Read on to learn more about this female-powered farm and all that they have to offer:
Nestled in the rolling hills near the Bristol-Monkton town line is a sweet little farm called New Leaf Organics. Now in her 23rd year in business, Farmer Jill Koppel leads her rockstar all-female crew to produce some of the most beautiful and delicious flowers, fruits, and veggies you’ll find anywhere in Vermont. Their farm has evolved quite a bit over the years, but their core mission remains the same; growing high-quality organic produce, flowers, and plants that improve soil health and strengthen the community.
Their Mission
to grow high-quality, deliciously fresh organic produce and flowers.
to maintain and build the health of our soil and water.
to keep this land open and in agricultural production.
to bring community together in appreciation of good food and eating with the seasons.
to help couples create a memorable wedding day brightened with our beautiful flowers
to be a healthy and joyous place for kids to roam and discover and help them learn where our food really comes from.
to provide a positive and meaningful place to work for our employees and ourselves.
The 2023 New Leaf Farm Crew
New Leaf Organics grows 5 acres of vegetables, berries, and flowers which are all sold in Vermont. You can shop their online store and/or visit their farmstand. Their online store offers farmstand pickup and delivery options. Farmstand hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 12 pm – 6 pm. While visiting the farmstand, you’ll find New Leaf’s fresh-picked veggies, berries, and flowers. You’ll also find a great selection of locally sourced products from around the Champlain Valley including fresh breads and granola from Bicycle Mill Bakery; sweet and savory hand pies and small pies from Humble Pie Baking; and take-out meals from Chomp Cookhouse.
New Leaf Organics Farmstand
You can also sign up for their Farm Stand Card Program. What’s a Farm Stand Card? Here’s how their website describes it:
“It’s like a gift card, but tastier. Farm Stand Cards give you pre-purchased credit to use at our Farm Stand. It’s an affordable and flexible way to enjoy the freshest, local organic produce and flowers and support our vibrant local food system. They come in increments of $225, with an additional 10% spending bonus. For example, when you pay $225, you’ll get a spending credit of $250. You can use your card any time you shop to buy anything we sell at our farm stand — from produce and baked goods to bedding plants and groceries. Pick your own flowers are included for Farm Stand Card holders.
How Does This Compare to Your Traditional CSA Model? Farm Stand Card shares are similar to a CSA in that you receive fresh organic produce and flowers each week and a discount on your purchase while committing to and supporting our local farm. They’re even better than a traditional CSA, though. The Farm Stand Card allows you greater flexibility to shop anytime the Farm Stand is open, and to purchase anything we sell in the stand. It gives you the vegetables, flowers, and local goods you want, when you want them, at the best price. Win-win-win!”
Looking to send a local, organic bouquet to someone special? New Leaf Organics offers Home Sweet Blooms floral deliveries to homes and businesses in Hinesburg, Vergennes, Middlebury, & Bristol! They also offer a pick-your-own flowers option throughout the growing season or you can purchase a flower bouquet subscription. The flower fields are located across the street from the farm stand.
Need flowers for an upcoming wedding or event? New Leaf Organics raises over 100 varieties of organic, specialty cut flowers and creates exquisite floral arrangements for weddings and events, from casual to formal. Their services, from full-service arrangements and delivery, to “pick-your-own,” to “weddings-in-a-bucket” are a great fit for all your events. Buying direct from the grower ensures the freshest, highest quality flowers at the best price. Buying organic ensures that agricultural chemicals aren’t endangering our environment or the farmworkers who handle the flowers. Click here to read more about why this matters.
According to Farmer Jill, “I’ve been lucky enough to find a dedicated crew of farming “geeks” who get equally as excited about discovering a great new variety to try or the thrill of our first seeds germinating in the Spring. Having a great crew keeps the farm dynamic and is better every season because of them. My kids, Ruby and Ada, and husband Skimmer make sure we don’t work the whole Summer away… Thanks for your interest in our farm! Supporting local farms like ours ensures that high-quality agricultural soils will be kept in farming for generations to come and proof that together we really can keep Vermont agriculture alive and thriving!”
For the latest info and insight into how the season is sprouting, blooming, and unfurling, follow them on Instagram @organicsnewleaf and Facebook @newleaforganics
