Tara Kelley, executive director of the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link in Vermont, gave a Log Lunch presentation on November 30 titled, “Real Food: Real Challenges.” Beginning with an overview of RAFFL’s mission and the need for change in the food system, Kelley detailed RAFFL’s work in supporting farmers, food access programs, and building community awareness and support. She also discussed how RAFFL’s work fits with other local and regional food initiatives such as the Farm to Plate Network, the Regional Food Centers network, and the Good Food Network. Kelley serves on the steering committee for the Vermont Farm to Plate initiative, and introduced how they are bringing different participants in the food system into a strategic planning process for a Vermont farm and food plan. She concluded by emphasizing the need for continual experimentation, research, and communication to deal with the complexity inherent in the food system.
