2021 Impact by the Numbers

105 team members + 8,887 students served

through the 2021-22 Northeast Farm to School Institute

“I’ve loved learning the range of approaches to strengthening farm to school relationships, and it has helped me to reflect on the individual needs of my school and community… Hearing other schools share their approaches has encouraged me to look for all the possibilities of growth." –Emily Peters, Teacher, Brooklyn Urban Garden Charter School

37 school/district/early childhood teams received coaching

through our professional learning opportunities

"[I appreciated] the extensive team/coach time in which our coach could help guide our group, offer feedback when asked, and share personal experience. We were lucky to have such an experienced coach who could keep us on track as we worked through the goal setting and action plan." –Institute Participant

123 Vermont farms fed Vermont kids

counted via the #ThisFarmFeedsVTKids campaign

"It's heartwarming to watch young kids marvel at vegetables they may have never seen or eaten before. [Access to local foods] helps encourage kids' natural curiosity, delight, and future appreciation and interest in where the food on their plate comes from. For this small farm it's a way to pay it forward to the next generation of healthy, vibrant adults." –Lara Dickson, Owner & Farmer, Next Chapter Farm

51 supervisory unions & school districts supported

leading to 23 applicants for the new VT Local Food Incentive Grant

“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to provide our students with fresh, local food, and our partnerships with farmers helped us continue offering that local food, even throughout the pandemic. As many products became harder to source, local foods remained fairly easy to source." –Scott Fay, Senior Manager, Child Nutrition Program, Essex Westford School District

53 school nutrition professionals served

through on-farm professional learning throughout the state

“The workshops were a joyous return to in-person learning in beautiful outdoor settings! We got to know our local farmers, understand how local procurement works, and how the local foods incentive supports both local farms and school nutrition programs. After many, many months of isolation, it was pure joy to do what we love to do, visit a farm, and make food together!” –Karyl Kent, Director of School Nutrition, Lamoille North Modified Unified Union School District

32 early childhood providers served

through farm to early childhood course

“I feel I have increased my all-around knowledge in the classroom, community, and kitchen. Continuing my education… always gives me a broader range of thinking, new ideas, and information to implement in my program. This is why I am always making improvements and providing the highest quality I can for the overall health and wellbeing of our youngest children.” –Workshop participant

70 youth recipe entries

through the Jr Iron Chef VT Cooking Club

"When Jr Iron Chef VT said you could [cook] virtually, I was very excited. The cooking club has kind of opened me up to local ingredients and eating plant-based. When we were done it was like, 'Wow, together we made this!'" –Abby Mitchell, Student & Jr Iron Chef Cooking Club Participant, Burlington High School

72 educators served

through virtual Dairy in the Classroom program

“All Vermont children need exposure and learning experiences surrounding Vermont’s agricultural heritage. Thank you.” –Third grade teacher