Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is now accepting applications 

from businesses interested in vending at the Vermont Building at this year’s Eastern States Exposition (Big E)! 

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM) is now requesting applications from Vermont businesses interested in vending inside the Vermont Building at the 2023 Big E!

The Vermont Building is one of six New England buildings on the Avenue of the States at the Big E, a 17-day fair and exposition that takes place each September in West Springfield, MA. The Big E provides a unique regional marketing opportunity for Vermont businesses. It is among the top-five largest fairs in the United States, boasting an annual attendance rate of over 1.6 million people and is the premier event of the year for many vendors. Fairgoers from all over New England come to the Big E looking to find unique products and to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Last year alone, vendors in the Vermont Building brought in over $1.7 million!

VAAFM has identified the following products as priorities for the Vermont Building for 2023. Preference will be given to products that use Vermont-sourced ingredients and/or materials and align with current regional/national trends. 

• Vermont-made cosmetics/beauty products
• Vermont-made pottery
• Children’s toys and games
• Glass products
• Food Trucks
• Producer associations interested in representing a variety of producers from their industry

HOW TO APPLY 

• Review the full Request for Applications. 
• Register in WebGrants if you have not previously done so. User registrations are approved in 1–2 business days. 
• Review the WebGrants Application Guide. 
• Submit your application in WebGrants by March 3, 2023 at 11:59 PM. 

Please email Kristen Brassard at Kristen.Brassard@vermont.gov with any questions.