Flatbread serves up a fundraiser Community convenes for a worthy cause

Author: Elizabeth Siegel

The act of vandalism which destroyed a year's worth of cheese production at Monkton, Vt.'s Orb Weaver farm last November was followed a month later by a physical attack against the farm's owners Marjorie Susman and Marion Pollack. The pair, a lesbian couple who have grown produce in Vermont for 24 years, have tried to leave the memory of what many are calling a hate crime behind. The Middlebury community, however, has not forgotten the financial and emotional blow suffered by Susman and Pollack.

"After we heard about the destruction of 274 wheels of cheese," explained Jen Moffroid of Middlebury's pizza company and restaurant American Flatbread, "we were shocked and dismayed and wanted to show our support in a public way."

"We had heard there were so many others who wanted to help," continued Moffroid. But the distraught farming community "didn't quite know how to organize everyone. We said we were happy to play the role of organizer."

And so, on Friday, Jan. 21, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., American Flatbread provided what Moffroid described as "the vehicle" for an outpouring of support from Middlebury's community to Orb Weaver farm. For every Flatbread sold that night, $4 was donated to Susman and Pollack. The proceeds from those sales, along with additional donations made at the restaurant that evening, are estimated at $1,000.

"The event was very well attended," said Moffroid of the fundraiser, which she unequivocally deemed a "success."

"The benefit prompted about 20 e-mails from community members asking how they can help," added Moffroid. At her behest, "people will [also] be sending checks directly" to the farm.

While Susman and Pollack did not attend Friday's event - "It would have been too difficult, too overwhelming," explained Susman - they have been touched by the community's support during these difficult times.

"It's been total extremes," said Susman of the past few months. "From the sheer terror of being attacked to the sheer love we've been feeling" from the community.

And, with the community's support firmly behind them, Susman reports that she and Pollack are maintaining a positive outlook for the new year. "We were very glad to see 2005 happen," she said.

"Being farmers you have to be optimists - We're going to put all of this behind us. We have to."