| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.28 |
| Liaison | Lori Collins-Hall |
| Submission Date | Jan. 26, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Sterling College (VT)
IN-26: Innovation C
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Nicole
Civita Assistant Director Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
In 2016, Sterling College joined the Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) to build innovative partnerships with our kitchen to Vermont farmers and value-added food producers, to strengthen Vermont agriculture.
VFN assisted the Sterling Kitchen in reviewing the diversity of Vermont ingredients we use, as well as the volume of Vermont products we purchase. They let us know of local ingredients we weren't aware of before, and so we were able to make changes to our food purchasing. (Who knew there was local vinegar in our foodshed? Not us, before we joined the VFN.)
Thanks to our partnership with VFN, we raised our Vermont food purchasing to 35% of our overall budget. This means we have been supporting our state agricultural economy, especially Vermont's small farmers and food businesses, and we're doing our part to make sure they have a viable future in the state's working landscape.
Sterling College has been honored by VFN with a Gold Barn award for our work. The Gold Barn award honors the top 25% of its membership purchasing from Vermont farmers and food producers. We were the only institution in Orleans County to be cited for this work.
Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Purchasing
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.