In Southeastern Vermont, March is “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month”

When you first move, the seasons in Vermont are easy to love ...

Let’s say you move to Vermont in the summer. The season catches you off guard with its surprising beauty and the joyful wealth of things to do. Then fall hits, and it’s just like the movies. November is a little dreary, but you’re busy thinking about the holidays, and snowfall soon hits to brighten the landscape. You spend the winter getting cozy and exploring new outdoor activities. Then, just as it feels like spring should be on the horizon … it’s March. 

... but March can be tough.

March can be a hard month to love in Vermont. The weeks of cold weather drag on, the sky can be gray, the wind can be harsh, and you know you’re in for several weeks of mud before spring truly begins. 

March can be especially tough for newcomers who haven’t yet established deep community connections. That’s why we created the "Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month" initiative!

So we've declared March "Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month"!

We’ve declared March the month for local hosts to invite newcomers to dinner. The goal is simple: to help new and returning Vermonters beat the "cabin-fever season" and make those first crucial connections.

The response and participation have been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the welcoming spirit of our region. The true measure of success is in the genuine connections made: 

“I love this initiative,” one local host said. “It helps build community by connecting people that might not have had the opportunity to meet as easily (or at all). Working remotely and living in a rural area, I have to actively go out of my way to connect with people and build new relationships but programs like this make it so much easier!”

Locals and newcomers alike have made great new connections

Another participant shared, “We had a wonderful conversation, finding that we had many things in common. I feel confident that we have made new friends through the program, thank you!”

“It was truly wonderful to get to know my new neighbors,” said a longtime local who was inspired to have her neighbors over. “We really enjoyed sharing the meal and our company. We even talked about starting a communal garden together!”

And GROW SoVermont offers newcomer support the rest of the year, too

"Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month" is just one part of the year-round support we offer for newcomers. Throughout the year, we host mixers, share personalized recommendations, and match new residents with local hosts for casual meetups like coffee or a hike.

Sound like the kind of place you want to live? Come on over!

If you are considering relocating, know that our community is eager to welcome you. We plan to continue "Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month" every March and beyond, working with statewide partners to expand the welcome.

Want to learn more about moving here? We’d love to chat! Fill out the Connect with a Vermonter form here and we’ll be in touch.