New Farms for New Americans Farmers Visit Healthy Living

The Association of Africans Living inVermont’s New Farms for New Americans (NFNA) project is a community gardening, social enterprise and agricultural training program of over 90 refugee and immigrant households inVermont. The project has three levels of participants: Community Gardeners (26); Market Gardeners/Incubator Farmers (65) and Independent Beginning Farmers (2). NFNA market gardeners and independent farmers sell their products at farmers markets, to restaurants and grocers, and through our CSA. NFNA farmers produce food on land at the Ethan Allen Homestead inBurlington(6 acres), at theIntervaleCenter(1 acre), and inShelburne,Vermont(1 acre). NFNA products are produced without pesticides, and with a concern for sustainable and culturally appropriate practices. The mission of AALV is to promote the equal opportunity, dignity, and self-sufficiency of refugee and immigrant individuals and families inVermont, regardless of race, ethnic group, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

The Healthy Living produce department had the pleasure of sharing information with these farmers about retail bunch sizes, packing boxes, quality expectations and display practices of retailers.  It was wonderful to meet these newVermontfarmers and discuss their crops and share experiences.  We look forward to a good upcoming season and having a lot of their products on our shelves in the spring and summer.