Vermont Maple Foundation

The Vermont Maple Foundation is a non-profit entity which serves to promote and protect the Vermont maple syrup brand and to work on its behalf with the State of Vermont and other appropriate organizations. We educate the public and the media about the production of maple syrup and its importance to the Vermont working landscape and economy. Maple syrup producers help to sustain forests in Vermont as a working landscape.

The Maple Foundation is completely dependent on donations. Please send your contributions for maple education and promotion to: Vermont Maple Foundation, 491 East Barnard Road, S. Royalton, VT 05068. Together we can help to tell the great Vermont Maple Story!

VMF Directors/Officers

Jacques Couture, president - jcouture@maplesyrupvt.net

Marcia Maynard, vice-president, Mary Croft, secretary/treasurer, Cecile Branon, George Cook, Pam Green, Rick Kobik, Perceptions, Inc., Lynn Lang, Bruce Martell, Emma Marvin, Paul Palmer, Carolyn Perley, Ann Rose, Mark Hastings, Barb Rainville, Catherine Stevens (Marketing Director).

2008-2009 Vermont Maple Foundation Activities

In the past year, the Vermont Maple Foundation has accomplished the following educational and promotional activities for the Vermont maple syrup industry:

• Vermont Maple Foundation partnered with the Vermont Department of Tourism (VDTM) at two out-of state consumer travel shows in New York City in January and February. Recipe cards, each with information about Vermont maple syrup and the maple website, were given to consumers along with syrup samples.
• The "2008-2009 Vermont Ski & Maple Map and Guide" was produced in partnership with the Vermont Ski Areas Association and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and distributed out-of-state by the two partners as well as VDTM and the VT Agency of Agriculture. They are also available at all Vermont rest areas.
• The Vermont Maple Website (www.VermontMaple.org), jointly managed by the VMSMA and the Vermont Maple Foundation, is being updated frequently.
• Many media contacts were made resulting in more positive media coverage about Vermont maple syrup all across the country than ever before.
• The very popular third edition of the Official Vermont Maple Cookbook is a great tool for us to use to make consumers aware that maple syrup is not just for breakfast!
• Another successful Vermont Maple Open House Weekend took place March 27-29, 2009. Participating sugarmakers are finding that consumers look forward to the chance to visit sugarmakers and buy new syrup. The 2010 Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held March 26-28.
• The Mobile Sugarhouse continues to be in high demand and promoted Vermont maple in Boston at the annual ski show, at ski areas around Vermont, at a variety of events including "Strolling of the Heifers", the Cheese Festival and others.
• The Maple Pages, a great educational tool, were recently reprinted and distributed to all schools in Vermont in our continuing effort to help our children learn about this important Vermont Industry.