From the Publisher

While at a photo shoot this past spring, one of our partners introduced me to The Simmering Bone—and that was it! From warm and comforting to quenching to sweet, in this year’s Liquid Assets issue, we shift our focus from boozy to natural liquids, beverages, and brews that nourish our bodies and soothe our souls. Our features all have something in common. They are dedicated to feeding our communities with natural high-quality products. The Parable of the Long Spoons (a section illustrated above) provided by NOFA-VT and created by Christine Tyler Hill epitomizes this dedication (read the full parable on page 43).

The Simmering Bone, created by Rachel Collier, was born from her desire to feed her young children all-natural, organic baby food. This has become my new obsession. I was sipping soup all summer long in 90° temperatures! Speaking of soups, Joe Buley, the mastermind behind Joe’s Kitchen at Screamin’ Ridge Farm, churns out 300 gallons a week during the height of soup season. Monument Farms Dairy has been stewarded by four generations providing high-quality dairy products focused on supporting Vermont’s general stores. Beverages from Bitter Bubble were created by entrepreneurs during the pandemic along with others such as Kis Kombucha and Vermont Sweetwater that also created bubbly beverages with passion and through experimentation. Dorset Maple Reserve and MOCO Hot Chocolate share their sweetness with syrupy and hot chocolate delights. Vermont Vinegars uses what they find locally, keep it small batch, and pay close attention to the quality.

Coffee and tea houses provide our communities with places to gather. Free Verse Farm & Apothecary products are cultivated and made from Vermont resources. Others—namely Kestrel Coffee Roasters, Little Seed Coffee Roasters, Stone Leaf Teahouse, and Loose Loona Gifts and Tea House— source high-quality products from afar, transporting patrons to the products’ places of origin. Black Cap Coffee & Bakery of Vermont owner Laura Vilalta came to Stowe from Barcelona and now has four locations, serving coffee and mouthwatering pastries while providing additional employment to neighboring towns.

I am always amazed at the tenacity of Vermont entrepreneurs who try and try again, despite adversities, to create products that nourish and feed fellow Vermonters. They are to be applauded and supported.

Enjoy our beautiful and bountiful fall season!

Marcia Lissak