Dinner and Discussion
On Thursday, May 18 the Hunger Mountain Co-op Council and the Council’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee presented our first Dinner and Discussion since 2019 at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center with the option to attend the meeting over Zoom.

Agenda
Thursday, May 18, 2023
4:30 pm: Doors open
5–6 pm: Dinner served by the Co-op’s Prepared Foods team
5:45 pm: Online admittance begins
6–7 pm: Speaker presentations and discussion
Presenters
Arantha Farrow owner of Caledonia Cannabis
Ariel Krolick owner of Ariel’s Honey Infusions
Jonah Mossberg co-owner of Milkweed Farm
Nurbu Sherpa co-owner of Sherpa Foods
Thank You For Attending!
Thank you to all who participated in our co-op’s Dinner and Discussion event on May 18. We invited young, BIPOC, and women farmers and food producers to speak with us about their experiences. This was our first indoor/in–person event since 2019, and we had more than seventy folks in attendance, including some online. After all this time, it was meaningful to come together and share a meal and conversation about a topic of common interest.
Food Bar
Dinner was served to in-person attendees from 5 pm to 6 pm, compliments of the Hunger Mountain Co-op Prepared Foods team. Our beautiful salad greens were provided by Milkweed Farm.

Build Your Own Salad Bar
Choice of greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, sunflower seeds, Vermont feta cheese, olives, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red wine vinegar, seared and sliced chicken breast, seared salmon pieces, and sweet & spicy tempeh.
Gluten-Free Cake
With a choice of fresh, seasonal fruit and berries.
The Everything Space tabled and offered resources at the Dinner and Discussion.
About the Presenters

Arantha Farrow
Owner of Caledonia CannabisArantha is deeply committed to cultivating authentic, connected and reciprocal relationships with the aspects of life on this amazing planet. Her love of agriculture took a deep dive about 6 years ago when she and her family began to homestead in the NEK of VT. She opened Caledonia Cannabis in 2018. Her passion for inclusivity is the driving force of her work.

Ariel Krolick
Owner of Ariel's Honey InfusionsAriel Krolick has owned Ariel's Honey Infusions for 12 years. She handcrafts 16 unique honey infusions using only sustainably harvested, raw Vermont honey infused together with local organic herbs. Ariel is passionate about spreading understanding and awareness about the vital role bees play in keeping the planet healthy.

Jonah Mossberg
Co-Owner of Milkweed FarmJonah Mossberg is a queer/trans farmer who lives in Westminster West. Jonah has been working in agriculture for almost 20 years and has run Milkweed Farm since 2017. The farm is a diversified no-till vegetable, flower, and pear operation with a focus on growing high quality nutrient dense food. Jonah is most excited about making compost, mushrooms, and his two wild farm kids.

Nurbu Sherpa
Co-Owner of Sherpa FoodsNurbu Sherpa is originally from Nepal, a small Himalayan country in Southeast Asia. Nurbu and his wife Phura moved to Vermont and started Sherpa Foods in 2015. They make and supply Nepalese foods such as Momos (Nepalese dumplings), Chowmein (Himalayan Style Fried Noodle), Himalayan Style Fried Rice and Momo Sauce (Himalayan Style Hot Sauce.)

Desmond Peeples
FacilitatorDesmond Peeples is a writer living in Underhill and working in communications and exhibit curating for the Vermont Arts Council. Desmond formed and facilitates the Arts Council's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Advisory Network. Desmond also serves on the board of Out in the Open, a Brattleboro-based nonprofit organizing and advocating for rural LGBTQ+ people.

Arantha Farrow
Owner of Caledonia CannabisArantha is deeply committed to cultivating authentic, connected and reciprocal relationships with the aspects of life on this amazing planet. Her love of agriculture took a deep dive about 6 years ago when she and her family began to homestead in the NEK of VT. She opened Caledonia Cannabis in 2018. Her passion for inclusivity is the driving force of her work.

Ariel Krolick
Owner of Ariel's Honey InfusionsAriel Krolick has owned Ariel's Honey Infusions for 12 years. She handcrafts 16 unique honey infusions using only sustainably harvested, raw Vermont honey infused together with local organic herbs. Ariel is passionate about spreading understanding and awareness about the vital role bees play in keeping the planet healthy.

Jonah Mossberg
Co-Owner of Milkweed FarmJonah Mossberg is a queer/trans farmer who lives in Westminster West. Jonah has been working in agriculture for almost 20 years and has run Milkweed Farm since 2017. The farm is a diversified no-till vegetable, flower, and pear operation with a focus on growing high quality nutrient dense food. Jonah is most excited about making compost, mushrooms, and his two wild farm kids.

Nurbu Sherpa
Co-Owner of Sherpa FoodsNurbu Sherpa is originally from Nepal, a small Himalayan country in Southeast Asia. Nurbu and his wife Phura moved to Vermont and started Sherpa Foods in 2015. They make and supply Nepalese foods such as Momos (Nepalese dumplings), Chowmein (Himalayan Style Fried Noodle), Himalayan Style Fried Rice and Momo Sauce (Himalayan Style Hot Sauce.)

Desmond Peeples
FacilitatorDesmond Peeples is a writer living in Underhill and working in communications and exhibit curating for the Vermont Arts Council. Desmond formed and facilitates the Arts Council's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Advisory Network. Desmond also serves on the board of Out in the Open, a Brattleboro-based nonprofit organizing and advocating for rural LGBTQ+ people.