The partial government shutdown has ended, but most of the 1,500 furloughed federal workers In Vermont won't see a paycheck until Thursday, Jan. 31 — their first since before Christmas! To thank Vermont's government workers for their service and sacrifice, the free food giveaway at the Northfield Farmers' Market (NFM) will continue as planned! This offer will occur at the February 3rd market, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plumley Armory at Norwich University, and includes the pre-Valentine's Sweetheart Brunch, co-hosted by The Woods Lodge and featuring live music by award-winning singer/songwriter AliT. The Woods will be serving Eggs Benedict, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, coffees and tea. Plus there will be lots of other food options from our fine family of local vendors, including mini chocolate cream pies from Two Wooden Spoons, fried apple crepes and key lime pie tarts from Farmor Farm, and gluten-free goodies like Armenian veggie dips, bean salad and tabouleh from Storytime Foods.

Federal workers who were affected by the shutdown should visit the manager's table and show your federal government work ID to get a specially marked shopping bag. Only foods from our farm and prepared food vendors are eligible; arts and crafts are not included. One bag of foods per person.

A fundraiser has been set up to offset the cots of the program for NFM, which is a non-profit organization. A HUGE THANKS to so many folks for your generous support! Because of your contributions, we have raised more than $900! And thanks to Northfield's TOPS Market for donating the grocery bags!

How can you help? First, help spread the word to affected federal workers know about the free food giveaway. Second, contributions can be made to the VT Furloughed Federal Workers Farmers Market Fund
> at Facebook/northfieldfarmersmarketvt, or
> on the market manager's page at Facebook/cassiemorse, or
> send a check to the Northfield Farmers' Market at P.O. Box 321, Northfield, VT, 05663, or
> drop by the market on Feb. 3 and leave your contribution in the donation jar at the manager's table.

Any unused funds will be kept in reserve to extend the program to our March 3 market in case a government shutdown is again imposed on Feb. 15. Otherwise, unused funds will be donated to the CERV food shelf in Northfield.