Inside Seven Days

A total of $23,165 was donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of Seven Days' 9th annual Vermont Restaurant Week — $1,785 more than last year. This popular annual event was presented by Vermont Federal Credit Union and organized by Seven Days.

“A wholehearted thank you to the Vermont Federal Credit Union, Seven Days, City Market, and all the incredible restaurants and patrons for bringing us another deliciously impactful Vermont Restaurant Week,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “These funds will help make sure that all of our neighbors can put healthy food on the table and enjoy the fresh, local food our state has to offer. This makes a real difference for families, kids, older Vermonters and people throughout the state. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!”  “At Vermont Federal Credit Union, we remain passionate and committed to creating financially strong and vibrant local communities where families and small businesses thrive,” said Jean Giard, VFCU president and CEO. “Vermont Restaurant Week helps us to achieve these goals by supporting local businesses and food purveyors, and encouraging community members to get out and enjoy the Vermont restaurant scene during this annual event. We couldn’t be more proud, as presenting sponsor, to provide this growing annual donation to help the Vermont Foodbank serve the state of Vermont.” Many factors contributed to the total donation. Proceeds from the Brunch Bash, a curated tasting event featuring local chefs, went to the foodbank. Donations also came from a panel discussion at ArtsRiot; from Stretch & Sip, a yoga class for digestion at Switchback Brewery’s Taproom; from Get Cultured, a food writing and sensory evaluation class at City Market; event raffles; and a portion of sponsorship dollars.

City Market/Onion River Co-op, one of the festival’s sponsors, gave the Vermont Foodbank 40 percent of its two stores’ Rally for Change donations during the month of April; the program encourages customers to round up their total at the register and donate the difference.

Finally, restaurants were encouraged to donate $1 from every meal sold to the foodbank during the week. Embracing that initiative were the Gryphon, Our House Bistro, Magic Hat Brewing Co., Café Provence, 3 Squares Café, Bistro de Margot, Bluebird Barbecue, Cork Wine Bar & Market of Stowe, Vermont Pub & Brewery, Michael’s on the Hill, Esperanza Restaurante, the Farmhouse Group, Pizzeria Verità, Hyde Away Inn and Restaurant, the Bench, Hazel, and New Moon Café.

More than 100 restaurants across the state participated in Vermont Restaurant Week this year. Each location offered special, prix-fixe meals during the event, which ran from April 20 to 29.

In addition to Vermont Federal Credit Union and City Market, this year’s sponsors were Vermont Creamery, Switchback Brewing Co., WhistlePig Whiskey, Swish White River, Shacksbury Cider, the Essex Culinary Resort & Spa, and the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing, with media support from WCAX, WNCS the Point and Front Porch Forum.