Vermont Farm to School Program Awards $272K for Farm to School Service Provider Grants

Grants will grow the support system for schools and early childhood programs across the State

March 3, 2026 | Montpelier, VT - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) is pleased to announce 7 awards totaling $272,895 to provide farm to school training, technical assistance, and resources to schools and early childhood programs across the state. This grant opportunity is a new offering from the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program, which is an annual state-funded grant program that connects Vermont youth with local food and farms. The new Farm to School Service Provider Grant will grow the support system for schools and early childhood programs, at regional and statewide levels, so that services are more accessible to schools and early childhood programs across the state.

"These investments matter. They strengthen our schools, support our farms, and uplift the people who help feed us every day," said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture. "This program grows Vermont's economy while protecting our most vulnerable neighbors - ensuring opportunity and stability for communities across the state."

The following Farm to School Service Provider Grants were made in FY26:

• Center for an Agricultural Economy : Statewide Farm to School and Local Food Procurement Technical Assistance and Localized Farm To School Programming ($39,693)
• Food Connects, Inc : Farm to School Coaching Services ($40,000)
• Hunger Free Vermont : Trailblazing Pathways for Meal Program Viability & Growth in Schools and Early Childhood Programs ($40,000)
• Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont : Statewide Technical Assistance for Local Foods in Schools & Early Childhood Programs ($39,836)
• Shelburne Farms: Network Coordination and Northeast Farm to School Institute Subawards ($39,972)
• Smokey House Center : Classroom-to-Valley Program at Smokey House Center ($39,641)
• Tiny Seed Project, Inc.: Expanding Partnerships and Technical Support for Upper Valley Super Compost Schools ($33,753)

Another $727,105 in Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program Grants will be announced in the spring, including one-time Local Food for Schools and Early Childhood funding. A total of $1 million dollars will be awarded this fiscal year through the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program. To learn more, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/farmtoschool .

The Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program were created by the Vermont Legislature in 2006, with the passage of the Rozo Mclaughlin Farm to School Act. Vermont is a national leader in the farm to school movement and was one of the first states in the country to launch an annual state-funded farm to school grant program. Since the program's inception, the program has awarded 359 grants, which have supported over 300 Vermont schools and early childcare programs to develop farm to school programming. Award decisions are made with support from the Vermont Agency of Education, Vermont Department of Health.

For questions, please contact:
Gina Clithero (she/her) | VAAFM Farm to Institution Program Manger | 802-585-6225 | [email protected]