Vermont Partners
“Farm to School programs are a vital tool we can use to promote agricultural literacy in schools so that, from an early age, students understand the value of nutrition, develop healthy eating habits, and appreciate where their food comes from.”
--Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Ross
The Vermont Farm to School Network provides statewide leadership, coordination, and advocacy to advance new and existing farm to school efforts in Vermont classrooms, cafeterias, and communities. VT FEED provides backbone coordination and support for the Network, which includes farm to school advocates, practitioners, and programs from across the state.
The Vermont Farm to School Network’s vision is for every Vermont student and school community to be engaged in a local food and farm culture that nurtures children’s health, cultivates viable farms, and builds vibrant communities. VT FSN does this by connecting the farm to school community through a listserv, events, shared resources, and collaborative projects.
In 2014, we launched a strategic mapping process that helped identify the key levers of change in the farm to school system and to organize action within the Network on those levers. Five Action Teams have been formed: Ease of Use, Economic Value, Supply Innovation, Educational Value, and Farm to School Demand. Thirty-five farm to school leaders are working together on strategic projects to advance our collaborative goals. It's available to view here.
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Partners during ASPHN’s Farm to ECE Grant Program
- VT FEED, Shelburne Farms (Contact: Cynthia Greene cgreene@shelburnefarms.org)
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (Contact: Gina Clithero gina.clithero@vermont.gov)
- Hunger Free Vermont (Contact: Keely Agan kagan@hungerfreevt.org)