Vermonters Feeding Vermonters
As a Vermont farmer and/or food producer, you play a critical role in providing fresh, local food to the people of Vermont and the state’s agricultural economy. Our goal at the Foodbank is to ensure that all people in Vermont get to share in the bounty! That’s where Vermonters Feeding Vermonters comes in—a program in which high-quality, local food, is purchased directly from Vermont farmers and producers to share with people facing hunger in Vermont.
How Does it Work?
The Foodbank and farmers agree upon a quantity, price, and delivery schedule prior to the growing season. During the harvest season, farmers provide regular deliveries to one of our three branches. The Foodbank then distributes the food to people facing hunger through our network of more than 300 community partners and programs like VeggieVanGo, providing fresh food distributions in local communities throughout the state.
The Vermont Foodbank also offers funds to participating partner food shelves and meals sites to purchase directly from their local farmers to serve people in their communities.
Fresh = Healthy
IMPROVED HEALTH FOR VERMONTERS
- Recent CDC data shows that food insecurity costs Vermonters $82M in annual health care expenses*
- 80% of recipients indicated they are more likely to eat Vermont grown produce again
Fresh = Secure
SECURITY FOR FARMERS
- 70% of farmers and producers selling directly to the Foodbank reported a big or huge impact on their business stability from being able to sell large, reliable quantities
- 54% of farmers selling directly to the Foodbank reported increased jobs/employment on their farm
Fresh = Strong
STRONGER VERMONT ECONOMY
- $1 spent on local food contributes an additional 60 cents to the local economy **
- $2.3 million spent on Vermont produce, meat, dairy, and eggs in 2023
- Since 2018, the Vermont Foodbank and our program partners have purchased over $9.5 million worth of produce, dairy, eggs and meat from over 300 farms across the state.
Fresh = Green
REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
- Vermont produced food stays in Vermont, reducing the current average of 1,500 miles food travels from “field to plate"
Interested in Becoming a Partner?
Thanks for your interest in Vermonters Feeding Vermonters! Since 2018, the Vermont Foodbank and our program partners have purchased over $7 million worth of produce, dairy, eggs and meat from over 300 farms across the state. If you are interested in the program, please contact Program Director, Michelle Wallace at mwallace@vtfoodbank.org.
We grow very healthy food and it’s important that the more vulnerable in our communities, not just Burlington, but all of Vermont, it’s important that they have access to fresh, healthy food as well.”
~ Eric Seitz,
Pitchfork Farm
* Berkowitz SA, Basu S, Gundersen C, Seligman HK. State-Level and County-Level Estimates of Health Care Costs Associated with Food Insecurity. Prev Chronic Dis 2019;16:180549.
** Roche E, Becot F, Kolodinsky J, Conner D. Economic Contribution and Potential Impact of Local Food Purchases Made by Vermont Schools. May 2016.
