FAIRLEE- The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund hosted a two-day conference at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee this week. The conference was aimed to help food system workers begin networking locally, as well as statewide. It was the first time the VSJF had held a conference of this nature. The conference also held to help promote the Vermont Farm to Plate Strategic Plan.

The Farm to Plate plan is designed to strengthen Vermont’s food system over the next ten years, which will hopefully in return improve the quality of food, and the overall health of Vermonters. Erica Campbell, the program director, was happy with the turn out. "It's the first annual network gathering. There's over 150 food system leaders here throughout the state. From anything to farmers and food system businesses.”

Also in attendance was Vermont governor Peter Shumlin who said, “We think we can become a major food grower, not just for Vermonters. And we grow the best food in the country."

The government’s role in the plan is to create jobs and increase the consumption of Vermont food products. "That's our biggest challenge right now is to grow jobs in all sectors of the economy and lift the income for Vermonters who have jobs."