"First we eat, then we do everything else.” - MFK Fisher
FDA, OSHA and CDC to host webinar on Sept 1, 2020 to provide food producers with an update on COVID-19 and FSMA
On September 1, 2020 the FDA, together with OSHA and the CDC will be hosting a one-hour webinar for food producers to provide an update on COVID-19 measures, focusing on employee health and food safety. Space will be limited and …
Even a pandemic can’t keep Vermont spirits down
Vermont’s own MAD RIVER DISTILLERS was honored at the most prestigious global spirits competition, the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, where it scored 92 points, a Chairman’s Trophy and judged best value for its Rum 44: a silver demerara rum distilled …
Vermont Economic Recovery Business Grants Program Opens Today
The Vermont Legislature recently completed three pieces of legislation intended to deliver economic relief to Vermont businesses harmed by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each bill focuses on a different sector of the economy, but they are …
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Changes to Nutrition Facts Label Coming January 2021
In 2017, the FDA completed the first sweeping update in more than 20 years of the nutrition facts label, changing the design of the label and the list of nutrients to be declared. In the context of the nearly 40% …
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Congress extends the time period during which PPP proceeds must be spent and relaxes other restrictions
Congress agreed late Wednesday night to relax the restrictions on certain Paycheck Protection Program requirements in its Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. (“Flexibility Act”). The Act is expected to be signed by the President on Friday. The Flexibility …
Senate Approved $484 Billion Amendment to the CARES Act, increasing funding, including $370b more for biz loans
Yesterday, April 21, the U.S. Senate approved another stimulus bill, which, if passed into law tomorrow as expected, will provide an additional $484b in economic aid to combat the novel coronavirus and related economic distress. It would replenish funds for …
The SBA and the US Treasury Roll Out New Guidance Just as the Paycheck Protection Program Runs Dry
Lenders, small businesses and their financial and legal advisers have scrambled to keep up with the almost daily release since April 1 of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program “Interim Final” Rules, the also-final updates to the Rules, and …
Update on SBA Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loans
By Catherine A. Burke A version of this bulletin was originally posted on March 23 here, but this April 14, 2020 update includes new information. The Small Business Association (“SBA”) launched its application portal for coronavirus-related emergency economic injury disaster …
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THE “CARES” ACT CAN HELP SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES SURVIVE THE COVID-19 CRISIS
You have likely heard a lot about the Two-Trillion-Dollar Stimulus Package, but what does it really mean to you and your business? _______________________________________ Under the Paycheck Protection Program, you may be eligible for a loan that you may never have to pay …
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What does Vermont’s Stay Home/Stay Safe Order Mean for Vermont Businesses?
Yesterday Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued an Addendum to his March 13, 2020 State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 and National Guard Call-Out (“Executive Order”), directing Vermont residents to stay at home and businesses and nonprofits to suspend in-person …
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Small Business Association (SBA) Disaster Loans Now Available
By Pauline Law The Small Business Association (SBA) has launched its application portal for disaster loans. Loans are available to U.S. small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most nonprofit organizations. The application may be accessed at the following link: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. For …
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Vermont Distillers Stepping up to Help Vermonters Sanitize
While the current crisis might bring out the worst in some, in Vermont, it brings out the best in most. Already we see a growing swell of generous community spirit among Vermonters who are not only willing, but driven to …
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Trump Signs Families First Coronavirus Bill – Effective on April 2, 2020
Please read on for guidance to employers by my colleague Heather Rider Hammond. If you have specific questions or need individualized guidance, she can be reached here. By Heather Rider Hammond As we expected, the Senate passed a slightly modified …
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Covid-19, Contracts and “Force Majeure”
Concerned about being able to meet your contractual obligations . . . or concerned about whether your suppliers will meet their contractual obligations to you as the impact of Covid-19 unfolds? My colleagues at Gravel & Shea evaluated how typical …
Farm-to-Barn-to-Bottle Vermont Craft Vodka is Honored with a Medal at the 2020 Good Food Awards
Vermont's Silo Distillery is among ten Vermont food and beverage creators honored with medals at the 2020 Good Food Awards
Research & Development Tax Credits Can Help Specialty Food and Beverage Companies Grow
Food and beverage companies continually develop their products and work to streamline operations to remain both profitable and relevant as consumer palates and markets change, ingredient prices or availabilities shift, and new processes or machinery become available. These evolutions are …
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FSMA Produce Safety Rule Inspections To Start Early 2020
The FDA announced today that routine FSMA inspections of small farms (other than sprout farms) are slated to commence in Spring of 2020, but if states (like Vermont) that receive funding as part of the State Produce Implementation Cooperative Agreement …
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Vermont Food Producers Earn 8 sofi™ Awards, Proving Once Again That Vermont Has Clout in Specialty Foods
The Specialty Food Association has been presenting sofi™ Awards to the best and most innovative specialty food products for 47 years. Fifty-eight judges from the food industry, including chefs, culinary instructors, recipe developers, food journalists and buyers conduct blind tasting …
FDA Posts a Picture of a Cannabis Leaf
In today’s Consumer Update, “What You Need to Know (and What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration acknowledged the rapid expansion of CBD products on offer …
Round One: what to know about the FDA’s first hearing on CBD in food, beverages and topicals
Feature photo credit: Rick Proctor on Unsplash You’d have to be really dedicated to the topic of CBD regulation to waste a fine summery Friday to watch the FDA’s public hearing on “Scientific Data and Information About Products Containing …
