Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL)

With obesity rates at an all-time high in our region and only 3-5% of food dollars being spent on local foods… there is both a driving reason and an opportunity to expand local food production to bring healthy, nutritious, delicious food choices to a growing number of people.

Rutland Area Farm and Food Link’s formed in 2003 to create economic opportunity for local farms, connect residents to an abundance of healthy local foods, and support environmental sustainability within the greater Rutland region of Vermont.  We aim to increase farm viability and food access.

RAFFL has an engaged board of directors comprised of farmers, consumers, and organizational partners who share our goals.  We actively solicit input from a wide spectrum in our community, including local farmers, retailers, institutions and consumers, to identify the priority projects.

Our programs are diverse.  We provide education about how individual choices influence the local food and farming system; support new farmers by connecting them with technical assistance; facilitate new and expanded markets; initiate creative distribution mechanisms; and develop infrastructure to support new food and farm enterprises.

RAFFL is part of a network of organizations, Food Centers, working on these issues within their own spheres of Vermont.  Together, we are sharing programming ideas and thinking strategically about the future of food and farms within the state and New England.

Information about our specific efforts can be found at www.rutlandfarmandfood.org or by calling 802-417-7331 or e-mailing info@rutlandfarmandfood.org.