Grant Program Regional Food Systems

To improve farmland access and expedite land transfer and tenure for beginning and established farmers through direct technical assistance, more effective education and resources, and regional collaboration.

To lead and support multi-stakeholder cooperation that advances public policies that improve farmland access and transfer at municipal, state, regional, and federal levels.

To assist Maine farms in scaling up to serve wholesale markets.

To develop a robust farm to school network that expands outreach and education for farmers, distributors, and farm service providers about institutional sales opportunities.

To create a successful model that demonstrates the possibility for farmworkers, farmers, and retailers to align values, work cooperatively, and create a more fair food system in response to arowing demands for equity from workers and consumers.

To develop and launch a local food campaign designed to increase purchasing of Vermont-produced foods by Vermont consumers, including institutions.

To support student scholarships for the Food Hub Management Certificate Program at the University of Vermont.

To create business relationships between Vermont farmers and food producers and Sodexo, the University of Vermonts food service management company.

To support local and regional food system development in New England and nationwide through the successful implementation of new federal food safety regulations.

To support efforts to regionalize the Mainers Feeding Mainers (MFM) model by supporting other New England food banks in increasing their sourcing of regional food.