(Burlington, VT) Lake Champlain Chocolates (LCC), a Vermont chocolate maker, has joined the Vermont Fresh Network, renewing its commitment to buying Vermont-sourced ingredients for its gourmet chocolates. Over twenty years ago, Jim Lampman, founder and president of LCC, created Chocolates of Vermont to share the distinctive tastes and memorable moods of Vermont with the rest of the nation. Each of the four chocolates depicts detailed elements of Vermont's landscape — Green Mountains, maple leaves, a beehive & wildflowers, and moonlight over a lake.
"Lake Champlain Chocolates has always used fresh, local ingredients to craft our chocolates," said Jim Lampman. "Supporting local producers keeps the Vermont economy strong, local communities vibrant, and preserves the rural identity and lifestyle of Vermonters," Lampman continued.
While cocoa trees aren't indigenous to Vermont, the ingredients in Chocolates of Vermont are — over 35 tons of Vermont ingredients are used annually, including 65,000 pounds of dark & milk chocolate processed locally in St Albans, 3,300 pounds of butter, 1,200 quarts of heavy cream, 1,100 pounds of honey, and 124 quarts of maple syrup. Over 350 tons of Vermont-sourced ingredients are used in all of LCC's products annually.
To celebrate, for the month of October, customers at LCC retail stores in Vermont will receive a free 4-piece Chocolates of Vermont box with a purchase of $25 or more. Those shopping the website or mail order catalog will receive an 8-piece box with a $95 or more purchase. Retailers nationwide will also be promoting the line.
The Vermont Fresh Network builds innovative partnerships among farmers, chefs, manufacturers, and consumers to strengthen Vermont's agriculture, believing a strong farm economy creates local jobs, provides nutritious food, and preserves the close-knit communities of Vermont.
Lake Champlain Chocolates offers sweet indulgences that capture the essence of Vermont, the tradition of making fine chocolate, and the pride that goes into each bite. Preservative-free and Kosher-certified, Lake Champlain Chocolates are crafted in small batches from the finest quality Belgian chocolate and select natural ingredients including local Vermont cream, sweet butter, maple syrup, and honey. Lake Champlain Chocolates are available online at www.lakechamplainchocolates.com, toll-free at 1-800-465-5909, as corporate gifts & wedding favors, at three company-owned retail stores in Vermont, and nationwide at specialty food & gift stores and upscale hotels & inns.