Small Bites
May 19, 2022
creating opportunities to promote
& sell more VT products to more buyers
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"Intentional and systemic racism and historic disinvestment in Black communities has led to the circumstances of the tragic white-supremacist terrorist attack that left ten people dead and three wounded at a neighborhood grocery store on Saturday."
-Buffalo Food Equity
While Small Bites tends to focus on Vermont farmers, food producers, distributors, & selling food at stores, you know we bounce around to global variables that impact sales at our stores. This week we shift away from original copy & steer to the topic of the values of community & the horrors in Buffalo.
Not mentioning the impact of mass slaughter would be negligent. Everyday people doing everyday things are shot down in the aisle. In the entrance of their community store. Incidentally, the only food store for the population of People of Color. Now the store is a crime scene closed for an undetermined amount of time. A negative multiplier effect in any way one can measure.
We live in one of the "Whitest" states, with one of the lowest populations of People of Color, but we have to understand that what happened in Buffalo can happen in any of our stores. We have rural stores that are the only store for miles serving underserved populations. We have urban stores fulfilling their place in their uniquely distinct environments. Each have hard working staff & engaged customers. Each has dedicated people helping their neighbors & creating dynamic community connections with grocery shopping & personal contact.
Terror can happen in any town as long as we overlook, look away from, ignore or disguise the deep systemic issues impacting our society. The many evils metastasizing are on the path to continuing. We in Vermont are not immune to what has happened in so many communities.
Highlighting our stores, our farms, our food manufacturers & our distributors is going to continue this week. We do so with broken hearts for the suffering in Buffalo.
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"Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world."
— Dolores Huerta
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Support the Vermont Releaf Collective involved in land, environment, agriculture, food systems
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Being Part of the Collaboration
The Vermont Releaf Collective is a growing network of BIPOC and BIPOC-led organizations. They facilitate a collaborative platform that supports networking, community building, idea sharing & collaboration, for the cultivation of joy & healing.
Hosting free events for members around the state (both in-person and virtually) including community dinners, workshops, skill shares, outdoor adventures, retreats, & more. As a network, they aim to use their platform to share member news among the Collective. The Collective circulates & amplifies BIPOC community’s news, member triumphs, opportunities, & requests for support.
Businesses & individuals are encouraged to support this network. As we know, here in Vermont, a network helps drive change. Be part of positive change. Sign up for their e-communication & share positive interconnection in your communities.
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"We hope to create an environment that enhances everyday life for our customers, & to serve as a force for positive growth in our community & local economy."- The Genny
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Seasonal Transitions
Each uniquely crafted recipe includes local harvests from area farms while offering a small window of sales opportunity. Right now, production is focused on Raspberry Elderflower & Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn. To retailers, this means the Spring season has begun in earnest!
Small scale production is front & center in this woman-owned operation dedicated to balancing the professional with the personal. Each batch is a limited edition, with some available through Pumpkin Village Foods & DSD to stores in a distinct route nearby the Bristol home-base.
Farmstands are one of the target areas to develop sales. Are you a farmstand? Looking for a refreshing seasonal line of crafted beverages? Contact Savoure for details.
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Are you ready to include an organic, fair-trade coffee in your product mix? Big Jay Coffee Roasting is looking to onboard new accounts. With their brand they have strong ties to the outdoor adventuring community. If your store caters to this customer base, bring on Big Jay in a Big Way & with premium shelf space placement watch it sell.
Sold in retail & 5-lb bulk bags for cafes, available to all corners of Vermont via DSD & through courier services. Catering to the early-rising adventurer, their flavors check all the boxes for single source, fair trade, rich flavors, organic & small batch roasted in Vermont. Retailers & farmstands can choose from several flavors. As sales expand, they welcome you to contact them for shipping & pricing details. Tell them Small Bites sent you!
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For the Beverage Cooler
Vermont Sweetwater is a small Vermont family owned & operated bottling company, producing ten all natural beverages, made from only the finest ingredients.
Each flavor is a refreshing alternative to national brands of soda. Backcountry Blueberry Lemon is one of the top sellers. When we have heat like we did last week, cool Vermont- made sodas & seltzers are just refreshing. Each Sweetwater is an opportunity for sales especially in high tourist traffic areas. Available through VT Roots, P&S, & shipped to stores. Contact the "Sweet Team" for pricing & shipping details
Travelers love to try foods while moseying around the state. Stores should evaluate their national brands & seek local alternatives for the busy summer season ahead. Need help sourcing local beverages? Reach out to us through Small Bites.
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VT Food Companies to
Know & Follow
Dosa Kitchen based in Brattleboro has reached a milestone in their product development & distribution. With finalized packaging & branding they have landed on local store shelves!
You wonder, WHAT IS A DOSA?
A dosa is a rice & lentil crepe with a seductively sour, tangy flavor & airy, crisp texture. Gluten-free, dairy-free, & fermented, dosas are endlessly adaptable. Curious about distribution? Contact Nash & Leda
Vermont Tortilla Company has taken the next step in its development as a national brand & that will have a huge positive impact on our local organic corn producers.
The past two-plus years have been a whirlwind for the company. Like many other food businesses, they lost half their business overnight as restaurants shuttered. They have been working hard to regain lost business. This week they announced their nationwide launch with June sales to Sprouts! 2022 looks to be a good year for VTC! Congratulations for this big step!
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VT Tortilla Co:ready to ship nationally to Sprouts
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Capture Sales: Summer Cheese
Prepare your cheese sales to jump with cross promotion & impulse displays.
Right now, begin to feature Spring connections across categories. It is perfectly fine to "jump" departments to enhance sales through merchandising.
Think fresh local spinach & locally crafted feta. Or perhaps you are ready to weave fresh whole milk ricotta into your mix for seasonal sales. Maplebrook Ricotta is unique for its smooth delicate texture, full flavor, & outstanding quality. It is perfect for so many recipes, whether savory or sweet. It is divine blended with fresh greens, local baguettes & VT charcuterie. Promote it both internally & on your social pages as an easy nibble with friends on a warm Spring night.
Maplebrook produces award winning cheeses in Vermont from 100% Vermont dairies. Products are widely available throughout the northeast through multiple distribution options including Provisions International & Black River Produce.
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Community Connections: Springfield Coop
The Food For All Program originally implemented in 2017 was part of the Community Roots Outreach Projects (CROPs) & the Coop’s desire to do more for the local community. This food discount allows those who qualify a full Coop membership with an extended payment plan & 10% off in the store.
Now, in addition to this original option, they are offering the 10% discount without requiring membership, just proof of eligibility. This change is a collaboration with The Springfield Family Center & the Springfield Area Parent Child Center.
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Roots Market, in Middlesex, an enterprise of Bear Roots Farm is perfectly located for the adventuring traveler. Not only that but the product selection is geared to a full range of Vermont food & artisan crafts. As the store has evolved they maintain their original goals of supplying produce from their own farm while also expanding a farm-based robust grab & go selection. Staffed with a helpful crew, the farm store has everything needed for locals & travelers. Not only food but the Spring is a bounty of organic bedding plants for home gardeners. The store is located at the cross roads of 100B & Route 2 in Middlesex which is also the home of a vibrant community scene of music, art, food, & adventurers.
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"New" owners of the East Poultney General Store bring a fresh perspective to the community
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Small is Beautiful
For over two years we have been hearing about changes in Vermont's population. Maybe it is that we are aging out. Or maybe as in the area around Poultney that the population is younger, more prone to the adventuring economy. Think biking, skiing, boating.
Long time locals dovetail well with the newer generation who have recently moved into the area. To meet the needs of its evolving customer base, Emily & Mike the current owners of the East Poultney General Store are filling the needs of its customers.
They are changing things up by leaning to more local producers. For instance, Larson Farm dairy products from just down the road in Wells are finding a new customer base. Adding bulk bins along with a wider range of foods from the "active/adventure” food category! Next up will it be Garuka Bars? Battenkill Wholesome? Rabble Rouser Chocolates?
Wholesale food direct-shipped to stores is a possibility to widen product selection. This can be especially true for our small rural stores. By matching their DSD products with those from Capital Candy their primary distributor, East Poultney General is finetuning a product mix for their evolving customer base. Distributors or DSD producers in the area are welcome to reach out to help expand the products mix. The old general store is revitalizing its community by meeting its diverse needs.
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Larson Farm local products delivered direct to the East Poultney General Store
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Balancing Act: Displays
Visual merchandising strategies can really drive sales. Currently with across-the-board price increases (& across the board profits), overall there is a trend where customers are seeking value-driven experiences. There continues to be a trend where locals want to make purchases from their community.
Ashley at Rail City Market in StA has seen continued growth & sales stability these past two-plus years. Customers who used to do shopping in Burlington "discovered" the local shop in the Spring of 2020. Those shoppers have maintained loyalty these past two years & are currently keeping sales strong. This past year by upgrading refrigeration capacity through an energy grant from Efficiency Vermont, sales have climbed across the frozen category. Not only is she saving on the electric bill, but she is also able to merch her goods in an easy to shop format which features many Vermont products. Replacing the old "coffin freezer" with reach-in doors, products optimally displayed & sales are flying. Local meat producers Happy Bird Poultry Farm & Howmar’s Farm could not be happier!
Woodstock Farmers Market, with stores in Woodstock & Waterbury exemplify cross merchandising as does Healthy Living Market & Cafe at both their SoBTV & Williston stores. Both stores always keep in mind their customers' needs by balancing products selections & value pricing with creative easy-to-shop, colorful displays.
Meanwhile, at The Genny’s two stores in Craftsbury & Albany, they blend local with national specials drawing from regional distributors & DSD from area producers. Making the most of limited space for merchandising they "cross-promote" using social media & e-sales strategies. Merchandising becomes a bit more "virtual". Their customers look forward to well-articulated specials that fit their needs.
Not only that, but this week the Genny completed a big renovation project at the Craftsbury store. A re-visioning & re-working of the retail space included new coolers, a redesigned check out area & beautiful local woodworking all adding to the merchandising dynamic. This was a big project for the small store. Congratulations to Team Genny! Catch the video tour here!
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Spring Vegies & Wild Crafting
Ode to Joy
Stores & farmstands are stocking wild crafted fiddleheads & ramps for seasonal dining & pickling. They along with local asparagus, scallions & greens are truly a mark of May. Shoppers grab them up for the pure joy of the change from winter to Spring diets. Local farms are also closer to harvesting fresh peas! Yes, they are almost ready for harvest. Season extension is working!
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Farmer Retailing: Cashout
Low & behold we are well into May! Farmstands are cranking on sales. There are so many ways to collect the money with most stands utilizing multiple methods.
Think: Venmo, credit cards, checks, cash, pre-buy CSA debit cards. Some are 100% self-service originally modifying their strategies during the early stage of the pandemic. Due to staffing pressure, many realize they can create self-service sales effectively.
Sweet Roots Market had self-serve all winter in their farmstand. By having every item barcoded or itemized in their POS they have in place strong inventory management oversight. All transactions are automated.
Up in north the J&R Family Farm uses a combo of Venmo, cash & checks. This has been an effective way for their local & non-local customers make purchases in the self-serve stand.
Travelers are expected to be out this year with many finally feeling the urge to support local farmstands & stores with our bountiful specialty & farm made food. Here's to happy & easy checkout on your farm for your locals & those from a-far.
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Sweet Roots self-serve checkout with
inventory management in place.
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Working Lands Grant Recipients Announced
With a focus on streamlining the supply chain & distribution infrastructure farms & food hubs in seven counties have benefited from the 2022 grants. These grants will help more products get to more buyers
within the state & help develop storage capacity too. They will also help
farmstands & stores explore new product opportunities.
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Main Street Market in Richford takes part in Farm to Plate retail services. Lots of info was shared & covered as the store addresses merchandising in an environment of supply gaps & last mile delivery issues to this rural store.
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Preparing for Travelers
All our stores in every nook, cranny, valley, or mountain village are expecting travelers to be a big part of warm-season sales. Cross promotion is an opportunity for buyers & merchandisers to promote our many specialty products. Think end caps or seasonal displays, fun foods for the "adventuring season", & of course beat the heat displays with Vermont artisan beverages front & center in your reach-in coolers. Be creative with topical displays: think boating, hiking, SUP, & campers lounging in our state parks.
Ideally displays are planned well in advance. Many stores learned this through workshops & through retail training tools. By cross-merchandising stores can help shoppers with cost-effective meal prep while also creating a dynamic mix of local with national brands. That said, with so many crazy supply-chain issues, flexibility is needed. Your well-planned displays may need to be tweaked because of product gaps. In a best case scenario, when supply chains were not broken & out-of-stocks were at not 35%, it was easier to do advance planning. Now, with so many upheavals, mixing & matching special promotions is definitely challenged.
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Small Bites comes to you via USDA & High Meadows grants. Content is created for farmers, food manufacturers, distributors, grocers to increase VT food sales
Contact: Annie H Harlow
smallbites802@gmail.com
Unless otherwise noted, photo credits are from company social media, websites or Annie Harlow
All info is subject to change; thank you to all the who contributed to this issue!
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