2025 Impact by the Numbers

We’re working toward a big vision: to engage every student and community in a local food and farm culture that nurtures child health, cultivates viable farms, and builds vibrant communities.

How? We support farm to school programs, which connect classrooms, cafeterias, and communities in pursuit of a healthier, more just food system. Here’s a look at some of the projects and collaborations in 2025 that moved the farm to school movement forward:

 

A group of people stand on grass under a large tree by a lake, with some holding and gesturing towards a "Community" sign.

The Northeast Farm to School Institute

8 school, early childhood, and district teams — representing 4,536 students — participated in our Northeast Farm to School Institute. This year-long professional learning program brings teams together to build robust farm to school plans for their districts and programs. With the support of a coach, teams put their plans into action and create lasting change.

 

A student is speaking at an outdoor event, standing at a podium with a microphone.

Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network

The Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network hosted 6 regional gatherings across the state, engaging 179 farm to school champions. The events offered peer-to-peer learning and opportunities to strengthen local efforts. In January, the Network hosted Farm to School and Early Childhood Day at the State House (watch farmer and student testimony from the day). In November, the Network hosted a press event celebrating local food in school meals.

A group of young people gathers around a picnic table outdoors, engaged in planting seedlings.

FEAST Summit

We supported a group of teen organizers in offering the third annual FEAST Summit, where 85 Vermont students participated in a day-long, food systems-focused event created by high school students for high school students. The day featured 11 workshops and discussions, including: Food Systems of the Future & Mushrooms; AI, Climate Change & Water Usage; Sustainable Practices in Maple Sugaring; and Tortilla Making from Scratch.

Two people use a food processor in a school kitchen to prepare vegetables.

Supporting Schools in Local Food Purchasing

With our technical assistance, 14 School Food Authorities secured the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets' Local Foods Incentive grants, spending $1.3 million on local food. A new Farm to School & Early Childhood Network study estimated that on average Vermont schools spend 14% of their school food budgets on local products. Read one district's story of increasing local purchasing.

A group of people gather in front of a garden, a lake in the background.

Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program

14 states offered Farm to School Institutes across the country, all modeled on our own Northeast program and supported through our Adaptation program and community of practice. Our 2025–26 adaptation cohort included state teams from California, Colorado, Michigan, and New Mexico, all of which experienced our program firsthand.

 

A group of people stand in a classroom, engaging with three seated students.

Farm to School Leadership Academy

16 farm to school leaders from across the country—from Indiana to Texas—participated in the second year of the Farm to School Leadership Academy, a year-long community of learning designed to build the strategies and relationships needed to pursue healthier, more resilient food systems.

 

A group of people seated under a rustic open wooden shelter in a garden setting.

The ABCs of Farm-Based Education

40 farm-based educators participated in the ABCs of Farm-Based Education, a three-day program tailored to the needs of farmers and those teaching on farms and in gardens. Participants learned new activities and strategies for school groups and visitors, gained tools to communicate with visitors of all ages, gathered tips for creating a safe learning environment, and built relationships with fellow farm-based educators.

A young child and a baby are gardening with an adult.

Farm to Early Childhood

21 farm to early childhood professional learning opportunities were offered online and in-person, reaching more than 500 early educators across the country. Learn more about farm to early childhood.

 

 

Market Opportunities for Vermont Farms & Producers

Over 150 Vermont farms sell to Vermont schools and early childhood programs, with apples, maple syrup, ground beef, and dairy products among the top products. It is estimated that Vermont schools spend $3.5 million on local food annually. Learn more about the This Farm Feeds Vermont Kids campaign.

 

A group of is gathered around a table outdoors, engaged in discussion.

Farm to School Coaching Program

22 coaches engaged in specially designed modules and workshops to develop their skills and knowledge so they can effectively coach school and early childhood teams through a Farm to School Institute or other farm to school planning processes.

 

 

A group of individuals is seated around a large table, engaged in legislative testimony.

State Funding Success

As part of the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network, we successfully secured $1.5 million in state funding for farm to school and local food for schools from the Vermont Legislature.

 

 

A farmer and a child are inside a barn, interacting with a young calf.

Dairy in the Classroom

38 classes—a total of 629 students—connected with 13 local dairy farms participating in Dairy in the Classroom, a program that develops an appreciation for the importance of farms, farmers, and animals in their everyday lives.