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Shop with a Chef: 2024 Farmers Market Tours

May 10, 2024

Explore a Vermont Farmers Market with a Vermont Fresh Network member chef this spring! Experience first-hand how chefs approach a farmers market, their relationships with their local farm and producer partners, and how they’re inspired by local, seasonal ingredients.

VFN is hosting a series of two farmers market tours this season, with Chef Matthew McClure of The Woodstock Inn and Chef Jacob Ennis of The Pitcher Inn. Each tour will last approximately one hour, and is coordinated in partnership with the market’s manager.

This project, funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, supports Vermont's farm and food sector by:

  • allowing members of the public to experience the ways they can eat locally at Vermont restaurants.
  • showcasing the local partnerships among chefs and producers that are central to Vermont's local food system.
  • sharing inspiration for working with local, seasonal crops and food products.

Tour participants will have the opportunity to interact with their chef guide and market vendors, and will take home a recipe that uses seasonal ingredients available at the market.

Waitsfield Farmers Market Tour with Chef Jacob Ennis of The Pitcher Inn

Featuring a visit to Mad River Taste Place

Location: Waitsfield Farmers Market | Mad River Green, Waitsfield, VT

Date: Saturday, June 22 | 8:45-10:15 AM

Chef Jacob Ennis is a regular at the Waitsfield Farmers Market, and this tour of the market will include insights into the ways Chef Jacob approaches a farmers market, his relationships with local vendors, and how The Pitcher Inn culinary team is inspired by local, seasonal ingredients.

The Pitcher Inn is home to a five-star Vermont dining experience, where fresh and seasonal ingredients come together for an inspired and sophisticated farm-to-table menu.

The tour will end with a visit to Mad River Taste Place, where guests will enjoy special tastings of some favorite Vermont products.

Register for the Waitsfield Farmers Market Tour here.

Shelburne Farmers Market Tour with Chef Robert Smith III of Starry Night Café

Location: Shelburne Farmers Market | Village Green, Woodstock, VT

Date: Sept. 21, 2024 | 8:45-9:45 AM

Join Starry Night Café's Chef Robert Smith III on an exploration of the Shelburne Farmers Market. This tour of the market will include insights into the ways Chef Robert approaches a farmers market, his relationships with local vendors, and how Starry Night Café culinary team is inspired by local, seasonal ingredients.

Starry Night Café offers an inspiring menu using seasonal Vermont products, organically grown when available, and naturally raised meats and fish. Starry Night is proud to partner with incredible local farmers and producers, and above all strives to provide a wonderful dining experience capturing the terrior of our rural Vermont setting.

Register for the Shelburne Farmers Market Tour here.

"It was so interesting hearing from a local [chef] the way that she uses local produce. My favorite part was meeting local vendors that I can go back to in the future."
-2023 Burlington Farmers Market Tour participant

 

This farmers market tour series is supported by Specialty Crop Block Grant 02200-SCBGP-18-05, awarded to Vermont Fresh Network by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets.

Thank you to Flavor Plate for donating their time and effort to the design and co-development of our website.