Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Underhill Center, Vt. – Vermont maple syrup, donated by producers all around the state, will soon be on its way to Vermont troops in Iraq as a reminder of the sights, smells and tastes of home.

Over the past three months, the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association has been soliciting donations from sugarmakers throughout the state with the goal of collecting 1000 gallons of pure maple syrup. Despite a mixed season, producers and packers are responding with donations of syrup for troops taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.

The pint containers for our troops will be packaged at Dakin Farms in Ferrisburgh, Vermont on Wednesday, May 9 beginning at 10:00a.m. The syrup containers will be stamped with a special label before being distributed to thousands of troops by Memorial Day as a simple gesture of appreciation.

“When you think of Vermont you think maple and Operation Maple Sweetness is a way to give Vermont troops a taste of home and to show all U.S. troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan that we support their efforts and are aware of the sacrifices they have made,” Governor Douglas said. “In true Vermont fashion, many organizations and individuals are working together to make this project a success such as Hillside Plastics who have donated containers and Dakin Farms who are coordinating the donations, packaging and shipping of the syrup.”

There is still time to donate syrup or to make a cash contribution for shipping costs. Syrup can be donated until April 29 at the drop-off locations listed on www.vermontmaple.org. For more information about sponsorships call Sam Cutting IV at (802) 425-3971 and for syrup donations call Rick Marsh (802) 644-5482. Anyone wishing to make a cash donation may send it to: Mary Croft, Treasurer, Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, 491 East Barnard Road, S. Royalton, VT, 05068.

“As a maple sugar producer, a member of the Air Force Reserve and a Vermonter, I know how meaningful this project is to our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and how important it is for them to know we are thinking of them,” said Lt. Governor Brian Dubie. “It’s also meaningful to the maplesugar producers and other Vermonters to be able to show their appreciation to our troops in a uniquely Vermont way.”

“This is a small token of sincere appreciation for the supreme dedication that our men and women in uniform are making on behalf of all of us,” stated Sam Cutting, IV, chairperson of the committee. This year’s project is a partnership between the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, Vermont Maple Foundation, Vermont Maple Industry Council and many other individuals and businesses.

This is not the first time that Vermonters have been away from home in the military nor the first time that Vermont maple producers have sent maple to troops. In the Civil War, Vermont maple syrup producers sent maple sugar to their soldiers. In World War II, maple sugar cakes were sent to soldiers overseas.