FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2013
Contact: Jennifer Green
802.865.7532
Weinberger to Welcome New England Municipal Sustainability Network Meeting Participants
and EPA Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding to Burlington
City to Host Regional Network Meeting to Discuss Local Food Systems
Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced that Burlington will be hosting the New England Municipal Sustainability Network at its bi-annual meeting next week, from June 2-4. The Network, administratively supported through the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, will meet in Burlington to learn about the City’s local food systems, including efforts in production, marketing, food preparation, distribution, and composting. Weinberger and EPA Region 1 Administrator Curt Spalding will address the meeting in City Hall, Conference Room 12 on Monday June 3, at 1:00pm.
“This event not only will allow Burlington to showcase its own efforts, but also will give us the opportunity to learn from the successes of our New England colleagues,” said Weinberger. “I’m confident that this meeting will help further Burlington’s work and position the New England Region at the epicenter of the local food movement.”
This hands-on event will include meetings with City Market Co-op, Intervale Center, Intervale Community Farm, Chittenden Solid Waste District, the Sustainability Academy at Barnes, New Farms for New Americans, and Department of Parks and Recreation staff. The group also will hear presentations by the Burlington Food Council, a volunteer supported effort created to support the local food movement, the Sustainable School Food Program and the Burlington School District’s School Food Director. Transportation is being provided by the University of Vermont, and funding has been made available through City Market Co-op, the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, and Global Philanthropies.
The Network, now in its third year, has grown from six municipalities to more than 20. Burlington, along with Boston, Cambridge, and Portland, are founding members. The purpose of the Network is to provide a platform for New England cities to share and learn from each other on mutual concerns and efforts. Topics are generated by members and have included transportation challenges, climate adaptation planning, and sustainable economic development.
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