VeggieVanGo
Are you looking to add more fresh fruits and veggies to your diet? Vermont Foodbank’s VeggieVanGo (VVG) fresh produce events are a great way to expand your menu and stretch your food budget! There are no eligibility requirements or reservations needed to access this program. Local partners in communities across Vermont host events in partnership with Vermont Foodbank.
Vermont Foodbank partners with schools and healthcare organizations around the state to distribute fresh produce in local communities on a monthly basis. The goal of the VeggieVanGo program is to create a dignified, welcoming, and comfortable atmosphere where free food can be easily accessed. There are no eligibility requirements, no questions asked, and participation is anonymous. Some events are open to the public, and some are for a designated school community only, see lists below.
Through VeggieVanGo, the Foodbank distributes 2 million pounds of fresh food to neighbors each year. Every month, a Foodbank truck arrives at VeggieVanGo locations across the state. Each event offers 5-6 fresh produce items. With the help of amazing volunteers, produce is shared with thousands of families and individuals.
Examples of produce items you might get from VVG include cabbage, onions, carrots, apples, oranges, potatoes, zucchini, rutabagas, radishes, pineapples, peppers, tomatoes, kale, collard greens, sweet potatoes, corn, cantaloupes, and more. As a visitor, you are able and encouraged to pick up fresh fruits and veggies for yourself, as well as for parents, children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends, up to five households.
To find out about a local VVG near you, please email veggievango@vtfoodbank.org or call 1-800-585-2265. You can also find information about VeggieVanGo by calling 211 or visiting the 211 Vermont Resource Directory.
Open and Closed VeggieVanGo Events
Many VeggieVanGo events are open to the local community. Please visit us at one of these sites if you do not have consistent access to fresh produce and would like to have more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Some VVG events are not open to the general public and are for designated communities only. Generally, closed VVGs are sponsored by schools and are only open to their school communities, which include students and school staff, as well as their families.
Please note: Due to increased attendance, some VeggieVanGo sites have moved to temporary off-site locations. Vermont Foodbank does not list times and locations; local site partners manage and advertise these details for each event in order to best serve local community needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
No registration is not required. There are also no income requirements for VeggieVanGo. Everyone is welcome; please note sites that are open to a local community and those that are reserved for a designated school community above.
Email veggievango@vtfoodbank.org or call (800) 585-2265. You can also find information about VeggieVanGo by calling 211 or visiting the 211 Vermont Resource Directory . You can also contact our VeggieVanGo school or healthcare partners. Note, some events are open to the public, and some are not.
Every event is different! That said, you can expect fresh fruits and veggies, which might include produce like carrots, cabbage, squash, potatoes, leafy greens, onions, apples, melons, and more. Some events have a protein item such as eggs, milk, or yogurt but this item is an extra and will not always be available.
Please use the online submission form to find an event near you, or email veggievango@vtfoodbank.org or call (800) 585-2265.
Attendees can pick up food for themselves and for another household. You are welcome to ask a neighbor or family member to pick up for you. If you aren’t able to access a VVG in person or through a neighbor, we recommend contacting a mutual aid organization or finding a local charitable food agency in your area. Find a local food pantry or food shelf.
Yes, we would love your help! You can register to volunteer on Volunteer Hub or reach out to Volunteer Services at volunteer@vtfoodbank.org with any questions.
You don't know how much this means to me…Most of my meals come from Dollar General. These veggies are much healthier for me, especially since I have diabetes.”
~ Older adult in Arlington, VT
VVG is funded in part by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. In Vermont, SNAP is called 3SquaresVT (3SVT). 3SquaresVT is a program that helps you buy the foods you love, when you want. Many people are eligible and don’t realize it. To learn more from our 3SquaresVT team, email 3SVT@vtfoodbank.org, call our helpline at 1-855-855-6181, text VFBSNAP to 85511, or visit our 3SquaresVT webpage.
