Grant Program Regional Food Systems

To enable Food Solutions New England to design a communication strategy that shifts New Englanders’ awareness, understanding, and behavior to build a thriving food and farming sector in the region.

To facilitate the continued growth and success of the Ayers Brook Goat Dairy by supporting the acquisition of high-quality nearby farmland at an affordable price, thereby enhancing its ability to build the state’s fledgling goat dairy industry.

To continue core campus organizing and launch a new initiative to directly address the anti-competitive practices that large food service management companies use to maintain market dominance.

To increase the amount of local food purchased by Vermont institutions while supporting the economic viability of food producers.

To work toward economic viability for New England farmers and food producers by offering hands-on financial literacy training, expanding market channels, and connecting farms with agricultural investors.

To develop and share systems that integrate participants in a regional network of food hubs in order to increase source-identified local food sales to institutions in southeastern Vermont, southwestern New Hampshire, and northwestern Massachusetts.

To create a regional network that engages participants in the food system, cultivates broad understanding of farm to institution’s role in strengthening New England’s food system, and advances stronger state and federal policies in support of farm to institution work.

To accelerate local food systems development, enhance the viability of sustainable agricultural enterprises, and foster economic development in northern Maine.

To educate and engage grassroots farm and food groups and practitioners about federal agriculture policy.

To develop a sustainable business assistance network across New England and New York State that promotes agriculture and local food systems and encourages food-related entrepreneurship.