2025 Annual Meeting

Sep 10, 2025

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Date: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
Location: Mountain Top Inn & Resort | Chittenden

Learn, connect, and grow

Each year the VSFA community comes together for a daylong networking and business education event, a valued opportunity for members to connect with each other while learning ways to sustain, grow, and manage their business.

We’re excited to share that the focus of this year’s VSFA Annual Meeting will be Sales & Revenue Growth! Join us on Wednesday, September 10th at the beautiful Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, Vermont for a day designed to help you sharpen your sales strategies, understand your customers, and boost your bottom line.

This is a can’t-miss opportunity to gain actionable tools, connect with peers, and strengthen your sales approach.

Keynote Speaker: Ted Castle, Founder of Rhino Foods
We’re thrilled to welcome Ted Castle, founder of Rhino Foods and visionary leader in the specialty food industry, as this year’s keynote speaker at the VSFA Annual Meeting. A certified B Corporation based in Burlington, VT, Rhino Foods is widely recognized for its innovative workplace practices, strong commitment to social impact, and its iconic partnership with Ben & Jerry’s to create their beloved cookie dough.

Ted will share insights drawn from his 40+ years of experience building Rhino Foods from a small frozen custard shop into a nationally respected manufacturer employing over 200 people.

Keynote Title: So, you want to grow your specialty food business…..really?
In this thought-provoking session, Ted will challenge attendees to think deeply about the why behind business growth. He’ll explore the realities of scaling a food business, the skills and disciplines needed at each stage, and the importance of understanding your strengths (and weaknesses) as a leader. With candor and wisdom, Ted will inspire you to envision a growth path that aligns with your values and capabilities.

Tentative Schedule:

Sales & Revenue Growth

8:30 AM REGISTRATION, REFRESHMENTS & NETWORKING

9:00 AM OPENING REMARKS

9:15 AM MORNING SESSION

Market Overview

State of the Specialty: Where the U.S. Market Is Headed and What It Means for Vermont Makers

From shifting consumer habits to evolving retail landscapes, the U.S. specialty food market continues to grow, but not without challenges. In this 30-minute kickoff session, Junapr founder and communications strategist Nicole Junas will provide a fast-paced overview of national trends shaping the industry today. She’ll unpack data around growth categories, consumer priorities (think: sustainability, health, and convenience), and the role of storytelling in standing out on crowded shelves.

This session is designed to orient Vermont food producers for the day ahead — offering a clear picture of what’s happening across the country and where opportunities lie for brands ready to evolve.

Speaker: Nicole Junas - Junpar

9:45 AM SESSION 1

Demystifying Your Marketing and Simplifying Your Sales Process Funnel – How Clear Messaging and Effective Customer Engagement Will Enhance Business Growth

What You'll Learn:

Branding as a means of shaping the public perception of your business and its products or services
Product: Market Fit – How Your Product Meets A Specific Need
Unique Value Proposition – Differentiating your product offering in the marketplace, which is key to revenue growth
Understanding Your Target Audience – Creating Customer Personas
The Buyer’s Journey – Awareness, Consideration/Evaluation, Decision
Building Your Sales and Marketing Plan – Buyer’s Journey, Sales Funnel, Sales Process, Marketing Tools

Speaker: Kathy Murphy Moriarty - Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

10:45 AM BREAK | NETWORKING

11:00 AM SESSION 2

This hands-on, interactive session will build upon the foundational marketing and sales concepts introduced earlier in the day. Through engaging group activities and creative prompts, participants will be invited to think more deeply about their brand identity and how it resonates with customers. Designed to spark new ideas and connections, this session will provide space for exploration, reflection, and actionable insights.

Speaker: Steve Crafts - Place Creative

12:00 PM LUNCHEON & ANNUAL MEETING

Board Elections

1:00 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER

So, you want to grow your specialty food business...really?

It sounds great to grow your business. Have you asked yourself “why”? What do you like to do? What are you good at? Are you prepared to make mistakes, learn, and be agile.

Ted Castle is the founder of Rhino Foods, a privately held, certified B Corporation based in Burlington, Vermont. The company employs over 200 people and is known for its innovative workplace practices and commitment to social impact. Full bio here.

Speaker: Ted Castle - Rhino Foods

2:00 PM BREAK | NETWORKING

2:15 PM AFTERNOON SESSION

Buyers Panel

A panel of buyers representing three key sectors — tourism, institutional, and coop/local — offering insider insights on what influences their purchasing decisions and how best to approach them.

Panel: Dan Snyder, Owner - Cold Hollow Cider | Nicole Reilly, Manager of Sustainability & Campus Partnership - UVM Dining | Jacob Vincent, Associate Director of Merchandising - Hanover Co-op Food Stores | Amelia Rappaport, Minister of Culture - Woodstock Farmers' Market

3:15 PM CLOSING REMARKS

3:30 PM COCKTAILS | NETWORKING

Join us for picturesque Vermont views and post-event cocktails sponsored by Mad River Distillers!

Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!

NETWORKING SPONSORS

EDUCATION SPONSORS

Become an Event Sponsor

Receive recognition for your support of Vermont Specialty Food and Beverage producers. Reach out to karin@vtspcialtyfoods.org to or claim your sponsorship here.