4VTFB: A Sock Knit to Benefit The Vermont Foodbank

A Darn Tough employee in the mill holding the Vermont foodbank sock

Socks That Give

There are a lot of healthy choices you can make every day, but this one feeds the soul AND others in need. The new Foodbank Farmer’s Market sock is knit to service the Vermont Foodbank, with 100 percent of its proceeds.

We looked at ways we could help with COVID-19 response. The fact is, we knit, we do not cut and sew - we're not set up for that - and mask making wasn't something we could just order up and get working on. But we had socks, and we knew if there's something we could do quick, it was make more socks. Something unique to benefit people.

Darn Tough farmer's market lifestyle sock on a veggie background

Local Produce

We were working with one of our long-standing friends, and designer, Poppy Gall of Poppy Gall Design Studio, on a Farmer's Market sock. To say good farmer's markets are a dime a dozen in Vermont, is something we take pride in.

Poppy herself is an avid gardener, and the inspiration around the design was the idea that both food and clothing can be more sustainable. Then we learned our neighbors needed their own sustainable food source, and that the Vermont Foodbank could use our help.

The Vermont Foodbank

Since 1986, The Vermont Foodbank has grown to serve 150,000 people annually. It adds up to 12 million pounds of food each year, and 2020 is likely going to surpass that.

Littleton courier showing the food shortages caused by COVID19

In the past, we have made use of Giving Tuesday to support their efforts, and even though a new Giving Tuesday is approaching, we had an idea. We could start knitting our Farmer's Market sock now and donate all of its proceeds to them. 

Knitting Meals

The new Foodbank Farmer's Market sock is a lightweight crew, lifestyle sock with unisex sizing, XS-XL. We are putting the finishing touches on the first crop, and are taking orders on our website. The complete proceeds from the sock will be delivered to the Vermont Foodbank every week.

Close up look at Vermont Foodbank version of Farmer's Market sock

For how many weeks? Again, we are knitters, we can't predict this. But we can make socks and we'll do this for as long as we can.

2022 Update: Thank you to all who purchased the Foodbank Farmer's Market sock. We no longer are knitting this particular sock, but your response to it lead to the launch of Knit to Give, a series of socks that give back to the Vermont Foodbank.


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