“Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month” declared

From Brattleboro to Rutland to the Northeast Kingdom, organizations across the state are declaring March “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month.”

Piloted in Windham County in 2025, “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month” resulted in 54 residents sharing meals together, whether at a local restaurant or at home. This year, the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project, the Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce, Real Rutland, Imagine Vermont in Addison County, Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation in Windsor County, the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph, and the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to expand the initiative in those areas as well.

Local “hosts” who invite a new neighbor, colleague, or friend to a meal during the month of March can access special offers from partnering restaurants and partial reimbursements to help cover the cost of the meal.

Throughout the year, GROW SoVermont holds newcomers mixers and shares resources and personalized recommendations with people who have recently relocated to Windham County from outside Vermont, and matches new residents with local welcome wagon hosts who will connect for a hike or coffee meetup.

Interested in “Invite a New Vermonter to Dinner Month,” or other GROW SoVermont initiatives? Learn more, see special offers from restaurant partners, and sign up to participate at sovermont.com/march.