Local Non-Profit Striving to Bolster Healthy Food Distribution

Vermont has a wide variety of farms with farmers are dedicated to stewardship and committed to quality. In Southern Vermont, Windham Farm and Food created local-distribution food hubs, to deliver locally-produced food to over 50 buyers including schools and hospitals from 30 Vermont and New Hampshire food producers.

Recently, Food Connects took over Windham Farm and Food to create a Farm to School Market Development Project. Funded by the Vermont Community Foundation, Food Connects is leading this project with local efforts and Vermont Statewide coordination.

In the end, new Farm to School marketing strategies will be developed and materials distributed to cafeterias statewide. Critical market data will be collected and shared with food producers, along with technical assistance to enable innovation.

Food Connects will continue to connect local food production with the purchasing requirements of cafeterias, meal halls and dining rooms while staying focused on increasing sales to these and other institutions.