Annual Forum Dinner Registration 2024

Thanks for your interest in Vermont Fresh Network's Annual Forum Dinner!

We are no longer accepting sign-ups for this event.

If you have any questions, contact jessie@vermontfresh.net.

WHAT:  Vermont Fresh Network’s 26th Annual Forum  – a farm-to-table grazing fundraiser dinner.

WHEN:  Sunday, July 21, 2024; Event is 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Set up starts at 3:00 pm – participants must arrive before 4:00 pm.

Specialty food and beverage producers will showcase their products during the cocktail hour from 5:00-6:00 pm. Chefs and restaurants will serve their small bites during the grazing dinner from 6:00-7:30ish pm, before the event ends at 8:00. This schedule gives all participants time to enjoy the event, and connect with other Vermont culinary professionals and producers who are showcasing their culinary creations!

WHERE:  The Coach Barn at Shelburne Farms; Shelburne, VT (beautiful site along Lake Champlain).

WHO:  Current VFN members* – chefs, farmers, and specialty food & beverage producers (approx. 150) – plus around 400 members of the public.

WHY:  The best dinner of the summer is back! Showcase your food, delight diners, promote local producers, compete for Best Bite or Best Sip. Help VFN reach annual fundraising goals to continue our programming year round.

*Please note that we only feature VFN Partner Members during the dinner hour, and VFN Partner Members/DigInVT Partner Association members during the cocktail hour. if you are not currently a member but would like to learn more about joining, contact jessie@vermontfresh.net.

• VFN provides a draped table and compostable serviceware (we strive for a Zero Waste event).
• You provide about 350 portions of your tasting, serving utensils, and whatever display materials best represent your business (but definitely a sign).
• There are two halves to the evening: a courtyard cocktail hour that focuses primarily on farmers, specialty food makers and beverage makers, and the chef’s grazing dinner that features samples in the form of small plates.
• This event is a fundraiser for VFN, it accounts for a third of our annual budget.
• It is a great dinner that has been a popular event for over 2 decades.  We look forward to your participation!
• This is a rain or shine event.

What VFN provides:

-- A 6 foot draped serving table

-- Compostable service ware (6 inch plates, 2 oz tasting cups (not for hot products), forks, spoons, knives, napkins)

-- Event entry for 2 people working the table (there will be time to sample others’ products and enjoy the chef tasting hour)

What VFN provides:

-- 8 foot draped table

-- Prep table

-- Compostable serviceware (6 inch plates, forks, spoons, knives, and napkins)

-- Entry for up to 4 people working at the table.  Set up early and enjoy the cocktail hour!  We encourage chefs to invite their farmer partners to join them at the event.

This is a historic building, which means there are some rules on what can be used at your tables.  Shelburne Farms does not allow open flame, any form of frying (that includes pan frying), or ovens in the building or courtyard.  We will provide a cook tent in back of the main building where there are more options for using this equipment, but you will need to run the food in to your table (we’ll put the tables as close to the cook tent location as possible).  Electricity is limited.  Please consider avoiding electricity use.

Everyone will receive a sheet with building use rules as part of their sign up packet.

If you don’t know the answer to these questions yet, that’s fine - we will follow up again.  We will need these answers in time to create programs, signs, to use in marketing, and to map the layout of the evening, so please be sure to get back to us before July 8th.

We provide a digital media kit for participants and additional materials for the event.  If the primary contact above is not the right person to contact, please provide the marketing contact here.