Vermont Schools & Early Childhood Centers Local Food Purchasing Evaluation 2024
How much local food are Vermont schools and early childhood programs serving and what helps make it possible?
This evaluation explores how K–12 schools and early childhood programs across Vermont are purchasing and serving local food to inform the Network's progress toward reach our goal of 30% local food purchasing by 2030.
Steady progress is being made. Vermont schools now spend about 14% of their food budgets on local foods—roughly $3.5 million each year, a 150% increase since 2014. Early childhood programs are also part of the momentum, with 71% reporting that they serve local food and integrating gardening, cooking, and food education.
The report highlights the partnerships, policies, and community effort moving this work forward and what else is needed to maintain growth.
