On April 25, the Alliance was awarded the Vermont Department of Agriculture coveted Seal of Quality.

In a letter from the Vermont Seal of Quality Program, Director Steven F. Justis wrote, "On behalf of the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets, I am pleased to welcome the Vermont Alliance of Independent Country Stores into the Vermont Seal of Quality Program as a 'Farm Heritage Partner'."

As a partner with the Seal of Quality program, Alliance members may display the Seal of Quality on their stores, as well as participate in Vermont Harvest, an Agriculture publication that reaches 150,000 households, businesses, and visitors across the state.

The Seal of Quality is awarded to Farm Heritage Partners when they have met standards of excellence in the production or advancement of Vermont products. The Seal of Quality is not handed out lightly, and the Alliance had to make a case for its inclusion in the program.