Vermont shoppers turn to local markets, gardens amidst food recalls

Vermont shoppers turn to local markets, gardens amidst food recalls

BURLINGTON, Vt. —

As inflation drives up food prices, local shoppers are taking extra precautions like sticking to brands they know, but many are skipping out on chain grocery stores altogether.

As food prices climb and recalls of popular products continue, some Vermonters are shying away from big-brand labels and finding comfort in the foods that are close to home.

“The interest in going and trying new things has decreased, and trying to stick with things that are, you know, safe options sometimes does factor in,” said Evan, who lives in Burlington.

His friend Griffyn echoed the sentiment and said he was thankful to have so many local options to choose from.

“We’re in a good scenario of living in Vermont with there being so much local produce and food that I don’t feel like I worry as much,” Griffyn said.

Others, like Carolina, are taking a hands-on approach, not just for safety but also to maximize savings, thanks to community gardens.

“It’s very unsettling to worry about, she said. “Is that boxed lettuce going to be dangerous for my family? When you’re able to harvest from a community garden… you can have that safety,” Carolina said.

Across the board, being mindful of eating out and shopping small seems to be the main trend for shoppers throughout the state.

“Going to restaurants is about the same as going to the grocery store. So, I’d rather go get food and just meal prep for the week rather than spending a bunch of money going out,” Griffyn said.

There are currently 700 active recalls on the Food and Drug Administration’s website, and more than 100 are for salmonella. A full list of safety recalls can be found at FDA.gov.