Photos from 2021 participants of The Hunt courtesy of the Vermont Cheese Council
The Vermont Cheese Council launched The Hunt, a statewide scavenger hunt adventure, in 2020 to benefit Vermont cheesemakers and other value-added dairy businesses as well as to engage locals and visitors during the pandemic. Clue packets for each of six regions of the state lead participants to over 1,000 Vermont businesses and tourist destinations, including cheesemakers that are members of the Vermont Cheese Council. In 2021, The Hunt saw increased participation and enthusiastic reviews from participants. Over 200 participants submitted answers to the clues for a chance to win prize boxes of Vermont cheeses. Others simply used the clue packets as a “travel guide” to help them explore Vermont’s outdoor environment, history, and of course, cheeses. The Vermont Cheese Council’s goals for the event included making a fun, free, and accessible opportunity for residents and tourists alike to engage, subtly encouraging participants to support local cheesemakers, and benefitting both Vermont’s cheese and non-cheese businesses. The Hunt is supported by funding from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center and promises to be an impactful event over the long term, with one participant reporting, “I loved it and we hope to come back and do a different region every year.” For more information, visit vtcheese.com/hunt or contact Marty Mundy.