Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is a leader in the growing farm-to-school movement in Vermont. Our mission is to strengthen local food systems in Vermont by promoting positive economic relationships, education, and access between schools, farms, and communities.
We create and sustain healthy communities by working across the food system with capacity building, resource development, and technical assistance through our Farm-to-School program, Farm Direct food hub, and Lunchbox food truck.
Our Programs
Thank you to our 2025 premier sponsors – The Abbey Group and Community National Bank!
Our work is made possible because of a network of businesses, institutions, organizations and community members who are in partnership with us.
You can view all our supporters here. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Catherine at ccusack@gmfts.org
Follow Our Story
Last Thursday, GMFTS and the VT Farm-to-School & Early Childhood Network hosted the Northeast Kingdom Region Farm-to-School gathering at Derby Elementary School. 🍎 The event highlighted our Farm-to-School programs happening at North Country Supervisory Union and in other parts of the Kingdom. Educators, food service directors, nonprofit organizations, parents and students came together to share snacks, learn something new from the youth speakers and connect with others to support Farm-to-School work across the NEK. GMFTS staff gave presentations and 10 student representatives from different schools shared about their farm-to-school experiences!
And so the gardening begins…inside that is! 🌱Orleans students start seeds in the classroom grow lab to later transplant into the garden in June. Students planted brussel sprouts, cucumber, and different varieties of flowers in trays. They will then tend to the seeds inside where they will water and witness them sprout! Students learned how to read seed packages for planting depth, spacing, and germination times. Now, we wait!
A big thank you to @coastofmaineorganic and EM Brown & Son Inc. for donating the Castine Raised Bed Mix used by the students!
This week, Meggie and Hilary brought our Lunchbox food truck out of hibernation to prepare it for its 13th summer season! We can’t wait to hit the road again with The Lunchbox summer meal program! 🥛🥗🌯
From June 24th-August 14th, The Lunchbox will appear weekly at the following locations:
Tuesdays (11am-1pm) at Leach Public Library in Irasburg
Wednesdays (11am-1pm) at the Barton Public Library
Thursdays (11am-1pm) at Gardner Memorial Park in Newport
Mark your calendars and join us for delicious food and family-friendly activities! Kids 18 & under eat for FREE. Adult meals available for $8. Learn more at: gmfts.org
With 158 acres of farmland, @berrycreekfarm1992 is a staple of the Northeast Kingdom. Located in Westfield, Vermont, Berry Creek is a certified organic, family-owned and operated farm that offers berries, vegetables, and flowers through an on-site farmstand and CSA. Striving to always connect their community with fresh and local produce, Berry Creek Farm uses sustainable growing practices to ensure that their farm builds soil fertility, protects the surrounding environment, and creates a secure food future for the next generation.
You can find Berry Creek produce at Green Mountain Natural Foods, @arborfarmmarket , Stowe Village Market and other retailers in the NEK. Or check out their farmstand, now open for the season!
#organic #supportlocalfarms
Last month, Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School visited Judd Acres Farm in Troy for a maple field trip! Judd Acres is owned by Travis, Jay/Westfield’s Maintenance Supervisor. Students learned the process of turning sap into syrup, specifically focusing on the boiling of the sap. After touring the sugarhouse, students enjoyed sipping warm maple syrup while snacking on donuts and pickles. Thank you to Travis and his family for welcoming us to your farm! 🍁
@northcountryfcu appreciates the work GMFTS does to support children and families by combating hunger in the NEK. They value efforts that address community needs, and support over 200 non-profit organizations each year. To learn more about NorthCountry’s community involvement, visit go.northcountry.org/community-b7c663
We received a generous donation of trees, blueberry bushes, raspberry, strawberry, and asparagus starts from Branch Out Burlington just in time for Earth Day! 🫐🍓🌳North Star Leasing, a Division of Peoples Bank funded the Branch Out Burlington project for GMFTS to bring more trees and shrubs to our NEK schools. It was an exciting delivery to Mrs. Dehoff’s class at North Country Career Center, where the class met the truck to unload and begin caring for their new trees for their ecological restoration project at the school!
GMFTS also delivered trees that were planted with help from the students at Lake Region Union High School, Lowell Graded School, Coventry Village School, Charleston Elementary School, and Brighton Elementary School.
We look forward to adding blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and asparagus to more school gardens across the NEK!
Pictured: 1) An elementary student plants a pear tree at Charleston 2) Mrs. DeHoff’s class at NCCC unloads their new trees 3) GMFTS AmeriCorps member, Lily Riesett, and GMFTS Farm-to-School Manager, Elyse Perambo, with Kyle Albee from Branch Out Burlington
🚨 Today’s the day to stand up for SNAP!
SNAP helps families put food on the table and strengthens our farms, grocers, and local economies. But Congress is considering cuts that would increase hunger and weaken our communities.
📢 Take action now: Email and call your members of Congress - see link in bio. We’re proud to join partners across the Northeast to #ProtectSNAP!
