[MRVphotog]

In the summer in Vermont getting fresh local food is pretty easy cause all of the farmers markets in many towns.

Vermont Farmer's Market Listings (http://www.vermontagriculture.com/agdev/farmmkt.htm - broken link)

The term "flatlander" is pretty funny since in both bordering states, NY and NH the mountains are bigger. You do hear the term but IMHO it shows a high level of ignorance, someone who doesn't travel much.

It's all relative, when I moved to Wyoming from Vermont, out there anyone from the east is referred to as a "damn flatlander".

[VTeratheart]

Another popular?? term is "white plate." Most of the surrounding states have white license plates, therefore the term, white plate, when referring to anyone, particularly an erratic driver, from another state.

[arel]

There is nothing I've ever seen like the Brattleboro Food Co-op. It is the size of a huge supermarket. It also sells prepared food and provides a comfortable place to eat it. There are lots of books and magazines to look at and buy.

Here in NYC there are food co-ops, some large natural food stores and even (believe it or not) farmers' markets, but there is nothing I have seen like the Brattleboro Food Co-op.

And if you want conventional groceries, I'm told there is a regular supermarket nearby.

Brattleboro seems to have everything: culture, arts, even counterculture. I saw an article about the nude teenagers, and it referred to Brattleboro as a "bastion of bohemia". Brattleboro can be a little run down and dreary in places, but there are parts that are very nice. Neighorhoods vary from those with houses practically on top of one another, all the way to rural locations where houses sit on multi-acre lots. A lot of choices for a small town. And so many neat places nearby - Amherst, Northampton, Keene (I don't think I've been there, so I can't comment on it). A little further away is Boston, other New England states, and the ocean. I'm not sure how far it is to the ocean. Probably about 2-3 hours. Ugh. But there are rivers and lakes. And a few hours away is my mostly-beloved New York City.

Just about the only thing missing is the ocean! I've always taken the ocean for granted, and now, if I move to Brattleboro, I am going to lose it, or at least quick access to it. I sat on the Coney Island boardwalk yesterday for most of an hour, drinking great coffee from an Arab deli and looking at the water and the people.

Last night (I think early this morning) I had a dream about Brattleboro. I had already moved up and was showing a friend around. But the Brattleboro in my dream looked a little different - more crisp and modern - from what I know of the real town. And I think we were walking uphill. I wonder if any of this means anything.

[MRVphotog]

Probably doesn't help much but you can buy Nathan's Hot Dogs in the grocery stores...yum....almost as good as Hebrew National dogs. :wink:

The Bratt coop is awesome, there are others in Vermont like the Hunger Mtn Coop in Montpelier and my fav one is the Hanover Coop just across the river from White River.

For newcomers, joining the local food coop not only gets you great stuff at a fair price but also can provide a sort of instant social base which can be a cool way to get to know and feel more comfortable in new and diferent surroundings when moving to a new place.

[arel]

I have been thinking about that. I asked about the discount, and I think it is only about 10%. Not a lot, especially considering the high prices at the co-op. But it adds up, and the social contacts are good to develop in a new place.

BTW, I've pretty much stopped eating Nathan's and Hebrew National hot dogs, as tasty as they are, and as easy to get here in Brooklyn. I've replaced them with vegetarian hot dogs. They are much better for you and, although they do not taste quite as good, they are good enough. Traditional hot dogs are not good for you at all, but, now that I have written this, I have a yen for one. Go figure.

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

CT is called "The Nutmeg State" just as VT is called The Green Mountain State.

I won't tell you what people from MA get called ;-)

Oh..and people moving into CA are called Okies, no? (sorry - I don't get to make a John Steinbeck joke every day...sorry, no more jokes of any kind for 24 hrs, promise)

Ha ha, I havent heard Okies. That is too funny. Now I am curious about the folks from MA

[Suzet2262]

We have one farm type place in the town where I live. They are open for part of the year. I drive up there to get corn on the cob, and pumpkins for halloween, along with hay stacks, gourds, indian corn. There is something about buying fruits and veggies from a stand, they seem to taste sooo much better than the grocery store

[arel]

I think there is also something more psychologically satisfying about buying food from a stand than from a store.

[Suzet2262]

Originally Posted by arel

I think there is also something more psychologically satisfying about buying food from a stand than from a store.

Yes I think you are right about that.

[MRVphotog]

Usually tastes alot better too!