The purpose of the Community Room at the Food Hub is to bring people together in alignment with CAE’s mission and its community programs: supporting local food systems, shared learning, food justice and love. The room is available for use by community groups through a reservation request and use agreement process with CAE. CAE retains full discretion over use of the Community Room to ensure that groups reserving the space are utilizing it for purposes that further the goals and mission of CAE as outlined in this Guidance document.

Description of Community Room Space  The Community Room is a multi-purpose space and can be configured both as a kitchen workshop space and as a conference/meeting space. The room has a maximum capacity of 45 people, but practical capacity may be smaller depending on the activity. For example, a 30 person maximum is more practical for kitchen workshops.

Kitchen: The Community Room Kitchen includes two electric ranges, two ovens, a three bay sink, modular prep tables, some refrigeration and freezer space, and a robust inventory of kitchen equipment, utensils, appliances and dinnerware. While the large kitchen appliances are all located along one wall of the room, smaller appliances can be plugged in at various places around the room and in central floor outlets. A variety of seating and prep table heights are available. Aprons, towels, pots and pans, plates and mugs, silverware and hand tools are available for use. It is not a commercial kitchen and no food can be sold that is prepared in this room. An orientation to the kitchen space will be required before use for first-time users. Groups will be expected to clean the space, wash and put away dishes, and empty trash, recycling and compost after an event. Cleaning info and checklists will be provided. 

Meeting Room: The meeting room has modular tables, a variety of chairs and stools, and tech equipment for presentations or virtual conferencing. Tech equipment includes a large TV screen with HDMI, Clickspot tool, Polycom conference bar and a dedicated laptop. Meeting room only reservations will not have access to the kitchen equipment.

Parking and accessibility: Depending on day, time and season, parking may be limited and car pooling is recommended. In addition to parking at the Yellow Barn lot (where the handicap accessible parking is located), there is also a lot on Treatment Road, and a seasonal parking lot on Wright Farm Road. More detailed parking information will be provided once your reservation is confirmed. Parking lots and walkways are maintained, but may be slippery in some weather. The Community Room and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. Access information in the form of door lock codes will be emailed to you 24 hours before your reservation.

Reservation, Insurance, and Fees 

Reservation Process: To inquire about reserving either the kitchen space or the meeting room, please fill out the Community Room Use Inquiry Form by clicking the button:

Community Room Use Inquiry Form

Information submitted in this form will be reviewed by CAE to determine if the reservation request can be accommodated. If a group is proposing to bring additional equipment into the room, this must first be approved by CAE. To find out more detailed information about the kitchen or tech equipment available, please contact center@caevt.org. Reservations are confirmed via email from center@caevt.org. This will include a calendar invitation to your requested reservation date and time and a link for payment. Insurance forms, deposit, and usage fees are due before the reserved date.  

Liability Insurance: CAE requires all community groups renting the Community Room to carry general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence, a copy of which shall be provided by the community group to CAE prior to the rental. The certificate of insurance must name the Center for an Agricultural Economy as additional insured. The Community Group agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CAE. 

Rental Deposit and Fees: The table below outlines the fees for Community Room use. Deposit will be returned after the room has been checked for cleanliness and equipment by our staff. Not following the use agreement or cleaning checklist will result in a deposit withheld in full or partial refund. 

Photos by Kelly Bogel Stokes.