Local Farming

Author: Sheena Tesch, Board Member

My passion for food started with farming. I had always gardened, but 14 years ago my travels landed me on an organic seed saving farm in California. This was my first time growing on a larger scale and I was immediately in love. Watching and supporting vegetables as they went from seed to fruit and back to seed again was magical, and I knew this was going to be my life. However, farming is not easy physically or financially, and retail compensation can be a real gut check after a season’s worth of sweat. Selling to larger chain stores is often impossible for small farmers and the compensation is dismal. In my experience, co-ops, along with farmer’s markets, are the frontrunners and backbone of small scale distribution.

The seed farm was my first experience selling to a local co-op. After California I went on to grow vegetables, seeds, mushrooms, and bulk garlic in both Vermont and Wisconsin, all of which was distributed through local co-ops. These sales made my passion and work viable, and feeding my neighbors was another layer of satisfaction.

 After my return to Vermont in 2023, I am no longer farming. This has been a hard transition for me, but I keep my connection to food alive through my work at the Putney Foodshelf and as a Board member for the BFC. It means a lot to me to continue to support small scale local farms and food systems as I put down new roots once again.

Thank you to all of our area farmers who could never be compensated enough for what they do. And thank you to all of our shoppers who help keep our food economy local. Your dollar goes further when it travels less.

Local Impact Stats

• Each dollar spent with a local farmer results in a $1.60 boost to the local economy.
• According to Vermont Farm to Plate, local food sales currently account for 6.9% ($189 million) of total food sales in Vermont.
• 25% of Brattleboro Food Co-op’s 2024 sales were from producers based either in Vermont, or within 60 miles of our store.
• We buy produce from 27 local farms (as above: Vermont, or within 60 miles of the store)
• 47% of items carried in our Produce department are local
• 70% of Produce sales are organic

Local 60 farms and other producers represented at the BFC (either in VT or within 50 miles of store)