There's a new book out about my town: The Town That Food Saved

[cali]

amidst all the bad economic news, my town's coming back to life is a wonderful story.



Product Description
Over the past 3 years, Hardwick, Vermont, a typical hardscrabble farming community of 3,000 residents, has jump-started its economy and redefined its self-image through a local, self-sustaining food system unlike anything else in America. Even as the recent financial downturn threatens to cripple small businesses and privately owned farms, a stunning number of food-based businesses have grown in the region—Vermont Soy, Jasper Hill Farm, Pete's Greens, Patchwork Farm & Bakery, Apple Cheek Farm, Claire's Restaurant and Bar, and Bonnieview Farm, to name only a few. The mostly young entrepreneurs have created a network of community support; they meet regularly to share advice, equipment, and business plans, and to loan each other capital. Hardwick is fast becoming a model for other communities to replicate its success. The captivating story of a small town coming back to life, The Town That Food Saved is narrative nonfiction at its best: full of colorful characters and grounded in an idea that will revolutionize the way we eat.

http://www.amazon.com/Town-That-Food-Saved-Community/dp/1605296864

[frazzled]

1. Very cool

I have some Cabot Creamery Clothbound Cheddar (aged at Jasper Hill) and some Vermont Creamery "Bijou" in my fridge right now--in Chicago!

This sounds like an interesting book ... and you are lucky to live in Vermont and have access to all that good food.

[cali]

2. cool

the caves are neat- designed by a friend of mine who's a local architect. It's great to see what's been happening here.

[amerikat]

3. Looks like a good read. Localvore is a real movement these days.

I'm in upstate NY and I can see folks are becoming aware of the benefits
of locally grown food.
Having just watched "Food Inc." the other day, I will never see
the supermarket the same way again.
I read a piece on Huffpost recently that said Vermont was the
6th hungriest state. Maybe this movement can help with that problem.

Vermont is always ahead of the curve. Merck Forest preserve in VT,
raises heirloom veggies as well as livestock herds that are no longer
bred commercially.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/24/vermont-is-hungry-ranked_n_369114.html

http://www.merckforest.org/

http://tvshack.net/movies/Food__Inc___2008_/

Thanks for posting. Oh and I'm going curling in Manchester on Sunday.

[bvar22]

4. A topic close to my heart.

I would love to see something like this evolve in our area.
We have all the resources here except for the community willingness, but that could change.

K&R

[cali]

5. I really love the slow money lending circle

and the degree of cooperative work. It's just amazing.