The Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL) is a non-profit operating in the Rutland Region of Vermont. RAFFL’s vision for our Region is for Rutland County to have a diverse and thriving agricultural industry supported by residents and communities throughout the area. Their mission is:

• To connect an economically viable and diverse agricultural industry with local communities and consumers,
• To promote a diverse agricultural industry which supports dynamic communities, and
• To connect all people in Rutland county area to local agriculture resulting in viable farms and communities.

RAFFL’s two major project are characterized by big vision and an inclusive, regional outlook. The Locally Grown Guide is a popular annual publication listing farms, farmstands, farmers markets, value-added processors and restaurants / grocers selling local food.

RAFFL is also working to assess and identify needed processing and storage facilities to serve the region’s farmers. These facilities will allow for year-round access to local food, additional value-added marketing options and improved ability to serve the volume needs of institutional cafeterias.

To better understand the need of processing infrastructure in our region, RAFFL has partnered with the City of Rutland on a Vermont Community Devemopment Program planning grant that will allow them to determine the market feasibility of a processing facility. This work will enable them to plan for an economically sustainable facility that would serve the needs of the region’s farmers, specialty food processors and institutional kitchens such as schools and the hospitals.

You can find out more about RAFFL and their working by visiting www.rutlandfarmandfood.org or by sending an email to rutlandfarmandfood@gmail.com.