By james art 
MONTPELIER -— With the daylight hours dwindling and the holiday season fast approaching, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and Vermont Fresh Network (VFN) are looking forward to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner that local Vermont farms can to help with the preparation. Ingredients from the turkey to the stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, pies, local brews and spirits can be found at a farm, farmers market or store near you! The time to order your local bird is now!
Vermont is home to many turkey farms and diversified farming operations raising turkeys throughout the state, just in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season. According to the National Turkey Federation, nearly 88 percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 16 pounds, meaning that approximately 736 million pounds of turkeys were consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving in 2016. In Vermont in 2016. nearly 48,000 turkeys and chickens were produced.
To help you find your dream bird and other ingredients to grace your holiday table, check out Vermont Fresh Network’s Local Holiday Meal Finder. And to add a little extra ‘spirit’ to your spread, visit VFN’s Cider and Wine Pairings for the Holiday Table!.
Search for local holiday meals on the Vermont Fresh Network: https://diginvt.com/localholiday
Vermont Fresh Network cider and wine pairings for the holiday table: https://diginvt.com/blog/pairings-for-the-holiday-table/
“Purchasing a Vermont turkey is a great way to support our rural farms and families. We thank them for their commitment to producing fresh food during the holiday seasons,” said Agriculture Minister Anson Tebbetts. “Thank you farmers for your hard work to feed us on this day and every day of the year.”
The Vermont Fresh Network can help you connect with a local farm and farmer near you for a fresh Thanksgiving feast for your family. You can also find farm fresh dinner items for your turkey dinner at the same time.
“Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with family, friends and farmers. A Vermont farm, locally raised turkey and a local Thanksgiving dinner offer the freshest ingredients for truly delicious food and support our rural economy,” said Tara Pereira, executive director of the Vermont Fresh Network, “And the food raised in Vermont, pairs perfectly with our local wine and cider.
Along with local turkeys, produce and spirits, the Vermont Fresh Network can connect you with more local products for your holiday meal and beyond. Visit DigInVT.com – an interactive website for authentic Vermont agricultural and culinary events and experiences.