What is Vermont FEED?

Vermont FEED has worked with more than 100 Vermont schools and communities to raise awareness about healthy food, the role of Vermont farms and farmers, and good nutrition. We act as a catalyst for rebuilding healthy food systems, and to cultivate links between the classrooms, cafeterias, local farms, and communities.

Now in its tenth year, Vermont FEED has worked with more than one third of schools in Vermont to create robust and viable Farm to School programs.  As of 2007, Vermont FEED also works with F.A.R.M.S. in Maine to jointly serve as the Northeast Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network.

What is Farm to School?

Farm to School programs bring healthy food from local farms to school children nationwide. These programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime. Farm to School is a comprehensive program that extends beyond farm fresh salad bars and local foods in the cafeteria to include waste management programs like composting, and experiential education opportunities such as planting school gardens, cooking demonstrations and farm tours. The Farm to School approach helps children understand where their food comes from and how their food choices impact their bodies, the environment and their communities at large.   More than 30 million children eat a school lunch five days a week, 180 days a year. If school lunch can be produced and consumed sustainably, taste great, and support the local community, it is a win-win for everyone.