We are very excited to announce the creation of the Vermont First Advisory Board! The Vermont First Advisory Board will support Sodexo’s Vermont First Initiative in realizing Sodexo’s goal of strategically increasing the purchase of Vermont products across Sodexo’s Vermont accounts. The Advisory Board is a tremendous ally in providing guidance to moving Vermont First objectives forward. The Board is made up of the following members:
| Name | Organization | Representation Category |
| Bill Suhr | Champlain Orchards | A person who operates a conventional vegetable farm (Eco-Apple Certified) |
| Jon Slason | Harlow Farm | A person who operates an organic farm |
| Tony Risitano | Deep Root Organic Coop | A person with an intimate understand of food aggregation operation |
| Mike Rosenberg | Garuka Bars | A value-added food product business owner |
| Sean Buchanan | Black River Produce/Black River Meats | A person with expertise in meat (slaughter, processing, marketing, storage) A distributor who distributes local food |
| Abbey Willard | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets | A person involved in creating or advising policy in Vermont |
| Erica Campbell | Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Vermont Farm to Plate | A person with experience in research and data analysis A person involved in creating or advising policy in Vermont |
| Olivia Pena | University of Vermont | A student who attends a Sodexo campus account in Vermont who eats campus food |
| Abbie Nelson | NOFA-VT VT FEED | A person who educates others about food and/or food systems A person with experience in research and data analysis |
| Vern Grubinger | UVM Extension | A food safety specialist |
| Heather Lynch-Ellis | St. Michael’s College | A person who educates others about food and/or food systems |
| Christina Erickson | Champlain College | A person who educates others about food and/or food systems |
| Doug Lantagne | UVM Food System Initiative | A person who educates others about food and/or food systems |
| Jane Clifford | Clifford Farms Green Mountain Dairy Federation | A person who operates a dairy farm |
The experience and perspective of this strong group will be instrumental in moving the needle forward on Vermont First objectives.
Sodexo's Commitment to Buying Vermont First 