Zenbarn helps Everyone Eats reach 1 million free meals

May 3, 2021  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Noah Fishman and Marlena Tucker-Fishman distribute free meals at Zenbarn every Tuesday between 4 and 6 p.m. as part of the Everyone Eats program. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.

Zenbarn’s participation in the Everyone Eats free meals program to assist those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has now ramped up to weekly production every Tuesday.

Program organizers last week also announced reaching a milestone 1 million free meals served statewide by the initiative.

The program to help those experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic was launched in August using $5 million of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund administered by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and led by Southeastern Vermont Community Action Agency. 

Funding was to run out in December but the program’s popularity led to an additional $1.2  million for 2021 from the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Organizers now say it will run through June.

The effort aims to assist those affected by the pandemic while relying on Vermont food producers and restaurants that have seen a decline in their business in the past year. 

More than 200 Vermont restaurants have participated, contributing a total of one million meals which have also relied on nearly $1 million of locally sourced ingredients, according to program managers. 

Distribution of meals happens through 14 community “hubs” – one in each county in the state. Each one oversees the logistics including contracting with restaurants to produce the meals, delivery details and promotion. The Central Vermont hub serves Washington, Lamoille, and Orange counties through a partnership between Capstone Community Action in Barre and ShiftMeals, a project led by Skinny Pancake. 

Capstone Executive Director Sue Minter called Everyone Eats a win for families, restaurants and farms. “It’s inspiring to work with so many partners throughout Central Vermont to be able to deliver so many nutritious meals during such a challenging time for Vermonters,” she said. “This program also allows all of us to take a closer look at hunger and advocate for improving access to food through innovative delivery programs and through 3SquaresVT – both during and after the pandemic.”

The Washington County operation has 24 partner organizations and has served more than 48,300 just in the 2001 phase of the program. 

Zenbarn restaurant on Guptil Road is the Waterbury partner and is somewhat unique in that it’s both the restaurant producing the meals and the distributor for the meals, explained Casey Engels, program manager for Central Vermont Everyone Eats. 

In other parts of the county, restaurants hand off meals to community organizations to do the distribution. With Zenbarn, the meals are made on site and people simply pull up to the porch to pick up.

Zenbarn kitchen staff each week prepare two selections -- one with meat, and another that’s vegetarian. Last week, for example, the meals were Greek chickpea stew with eggplant, mixed vegetables, and local smoked pork over steamed rice; the vegetarian version skipped the pork. This week is barbecue meatloaf and the vegetarian version is made with tempeh. All meals are packaged in foil containers making them easy to heat.

Between 4 and 6 p.m. each Tuesday, local residents are invited to stop by Zenbarn to pick up meals for themselves, family or neighbors who might appreciate a free, healthy restaurant dinner. 

Zenbarn is preparing 300 meals per week to distribute. Recipients do not need to apply to qualify and they are encouraged to pick up extra, especially to share with elderly or homebound family or friends, said Zenbarn co-owner Noah Fishman.  

On a recent Tuesday late afternoon, traffic was steady as people pulled into the parking lot and hopped out to request meals for their families, and in many cases for neighbors. “We’re seeing a lot of people getting meals for others,” said Marlena Fishman, who was handing them out and keeping a tally on a clipboard. Turning to a teenager putting meals in a bag, she asked if he had enough for everyone at home. He paused for a moment and replied, “One more, please.” 

Engel said they encourage people to get meals for individuals who may be homebound or elderly as a way for people to connect and check on each other. 

Along those lines, Waterbury Area Senior Center has tapped into the program to distribute Zenbarn meals as part of its Meals on Wheels program serving area seniors. Executive Director Vicki Brooker said a volunteer is picking up meals on Tuesdays that are passed on either as an extra meal on Wednesday or frozen to include as one of the meals distributed on Fridays for those who receive meals for the weekend. The center can only distribute to their regular clients, however, she said. 

More than two dozen seniors are getting the Zenbarn dinners through Meals on Wheels. Regular deliveries are also passing along fliers explaining the program to clients and encouraging them to spread the word to those who may not qualify for Meals on Wheels but who would appreciate the Zenbarn meals. 

Brooker said they are appealing because they offer some variety from the center’s usual fare and it’s a chance for local residents to get a meal from a restaurant they may not go to in person lately. “It’s something different,” she said. “And we don’t cook like Zenbarn does.” 

Brooker said she’s grateful for the effort because it’s also helped stretch her budget for meal preparation. “It’s one of those great programs that have helped us get through the pandemic,” she said. “Feeding people is important.” 

For information about the Washington County Everyone Eats program through Capstone Community Action and ShiftMeals visit shiftmeals.org/everyone-eats. For special requests, large orders, a specific pickup time, etc. regarding Zenbarn meals in Waterbury, email noah@zenbarnvt.com.