Our Blog
Fresh, Local, Free – Lunchbox Readies to Serve Summer Lunches
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
The Lunchbox food truck will be on the road again for its fifth summer, serving up free meals to kids and fresh, local lunches for three communities in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
For many kids who participate in free or reduced lunch programs during the school year, the free summer meal is one of their best sources for nutritious food while school is on break. For community members, the Lunchbox is a fresh, local, and delicious lunch option that comes with an added perk – all the proceeds from lunch sales go directly to running the free summer meal program and help to serve even more children. Read More…
Read More...DONATE
Help Green Mountain Farm-to-School provide fresh, local food and nutrition education to Vermonters in the Northeast Kingdom. GMFTS is a 501(c)3 organization and your donation is tax deductible as provided by law.
Please make checks payable to Green Mountain Farm-to-School and mail to:
Green Mountain Farm-to-School 115 2nd Street Newport, VT 05855
ABOUT GMFTS
A leader in the growing farm-to-school movement in Vermont, Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) mission is to restore and strengthen local food systems in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont by promoting positive economic and educational relationships among schools, farms, and communities. We create healthy communities by working across the food system with capacity building, resource development, and technical assistance through GMFTS’ school gardens, Farm-to-School Program, food hub, food truck, and statewide marketing campaign.
OUR PURPOSE
The statistics about the health of our children are striking. 1 in 3 children is on track to develop type 2 diabetes. Researchers estimate for the 1st time in American history children will live shorter lives than their parents. Unless we do something to put this runaway food system back on track, we’re headed for the biggest and most expensive health care crisis we can imagine. 60,000 children in Vermont eat school food 5 days a week, getting more than half their calories from school lunch, school breakfast, and school snack. What we feed our kids in schools and what we teach them about food there affects how they grow, how they learn, what they will feed their own families, and how long they will live. School is where it all begins.
WHERE WE WORK
MEET THE STAFF
James Hafferman
Executive Director
Contact James at jhafferman@gmfts.org.
James became the executive director of Green Mountain Farm-to-School in January 2017. As executive director, James is responsible for overseeing the organization, developing GMFTS’ long-range strategic plans, raising funds, publicizing its activities, and managing its staff and Board of Directors. Over his 16-year career, James has held key leadership positions with a variety of organizations including chief operating officer of CLASP, an international energy efficiency nonprofit in Washington, D.C., where he was instrumental in managing and developing the organization from a small start-up to a global presence. Prior to coming to GMFTS, James served as the director of administration and development at Salvation Farms, a nonprofit based in Morrisville, Vt. that seeks to build increased resilience in Vermont’s food system through agricultural surplus management. Raised in a farming community along the St. Lawrence River, James has a deep appreciation of the region’s agricultural heritage and is passionate about food systems and building sustainable infrastructure. James lives in Woodbury, Vt. and enjoys hiking, camping, and gardening.
Katherine Sims
Development Director and Founder
Contact Katherine at ksims@gmfts.org.
Katherine Sims is the founder and development director of Green Mountain Farm-to-School. She started the organization in 2008 to improve childhood nutrition and support Vermont farms by connecting schools and farms through food and education. Katherine, who graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s in history, brings 10 years of experience building school gardens, connecting institutional buyers with local farms, teaching students about healthy food choices, and training school food service staff to prepare and serve local foods. As development director, she helps to manage fundraising operations including developing the annual fundraising plan, soliciting donations from major donors and businesses, writing grant applications and reports, and coordinating events. She currently serves on several boards including the Vermont Council on Rural Development and the Vermont Land Trust. She lives in Lowell, Vt. with her husband, Jeff, where they raise chickens, grow vegetables, and enjoy life with their sidekick cat, Oslo.
Catherine Cusack
Assistant Director
Contact Catherine at ccusack@gmfts.org.
Catherine joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in 2013. As assistant director, she works in partnership with GMFTS program staff in delivering high quality programming, with an emphasis on improving food access, educating children and community members on the value of Vermont’s rich agricultural landscape, supporting farms, and building relationships to grow the reach of the organization. Since moving to Vermont in 2006, Catherine has advocated for equal access to healthy food and increased opportunities for all Vermonters. While caring for her two young children, she was a freelance health promotion consultant, completing projects focused on obesity prevention. She has a Master of Science degree in health promotion from the University of Montana. Catherine and her family live in Walden, where they love to garden, swim. and play in the snow.
Maire Folan
Farm-to-School Program Manager
Contact Maire at mfolan@gmfts.org.
Maire joined the team in 2014 to help lead the charge with Farm-to-School efforts, working closely with our fantastic coordinators. She received her bachelor’s from the University of New Hampshire in environmental biology and nutrition. She went on to complete her Registered Dietitian Certification and received a master’s degree from Green Mountain College in sustainable food systems. She is thrilled to bring her love for food and farming to GMFTS. Prior to GMFTS, Maire has worked as a naturalist for the New Hampshire Audubon Society, in research and development for Stonyfield Farm and as a ski instructor at Crystal Mountain in WA. Maire hails from the Granite state, where she spent lots of time in the lakes, forests and mountains. You might find her digging into Vermont soils, swimming in beautiful NEK lakes, hiking among the rolling hills or enjoying area ski trails.
Shane Rogers
Communications and Development Coordinator
Contact Shane and srogers@gmfts.org.
Shane Rogers joined GMFTS in 2015. As a communication and development coordinator Shane will be working to grow the public profile of the organization and showcase the work it’s doing across the state. He holds a bachelor’s in political science and communications with a concentration in journalism from the University of Dayton in Ohio. Coming to the Northeast Kingdom from Washington, D.C. he most recently worked as a legislative researcher and writer for CQ Roll Call. Shane has also worked as a reporter for The Press newspaper in Avon Lake, Ohio and as an assistant director for Grassroots Campaigns Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is excited to explore the many wonder of the Northeast Kingdom, hopefully find Narnia, and be part of a team working so diligently to reform the food system in Vermont.
Amrita Parry
Farm Direct Coordinator
Contact Amrita at aparry@gmfts.org.
Amrita Parry joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in 2016. As Farm Direct coordinator, Amrita is responsible for managing Green Mountain Farm Direct, a regional food hub with a focus on bringing local food into schools, institutions, and other sales outlets. Amrita is from the Northeast Kingdom and earned a bachelor’s in integrated environmental science from Johnson State College. Before coming to Green Mountain Farm-to-School she was a fixture at Newport Natural Foods in Newport where she developed strong working relationships within the local food community. She is passionate about food, farms, and Vermont. Amrita and her son live in Coventry.
Edifice Jengo
Finance Coordinator
Contact Edifice at ejengo@gmfts.org.
Edifice Jengo joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in February 2017 as the finance coordinator. Edifice is responsible for computerizing, classifying, recording, and maintaining numerical data for use in maintaining financial records in good health and in compliance with applicable laws. He is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and came to Burlington, Vt. in 2011 and moved to Newport in February 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Champlain College in Burlington. Prior to joining the organization, Edifice worked for the Vermont Interfaith Action, Champlain College, and Danaher Attig & Plante PLC as an executive assistant, finance assistant, and staff accountant, respectively. In his free time, Edifice likes to play piano, go biking, learn more about information technology, and explore the places around him.
Kendall Lambert
Consumer Education and Food Access Coordinator
Contact Kendall at klambert@gmfts.org.
Kendall Lambert joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in 2017. As the consumer education and food access coordinator, Kendall is responsible for coordinating the food nutrition incentive programs, Vermont Harvest of the Month, and the Lunchbox food truck, which serves free summer meals to kids during the summer. Kendall has a master’s in environmental policy from Bard Center for Environmental Policy and a bachelor’s from the University of Vermont. Before joining GMFTS, Kendall worked as the library assistant at Lake Region Union High School in Barton, Vt. She was also staff manager at Cork Wine Bar and Market in Waterbury, Vt. Prior to those positions, she worked as the water program coordinator for Community Alliance with Family Farmers in Oakland, Calif. Kendall is a native Vermonter, but only moved to the Northeast Kingdom in the last year.
Meghan Steward
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Meg at msteward@gmfts.org.
Meghan joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in August of 2015. As a farm-to-school coordinator she works to redefine the roles of children, famers, and schools in the food system through education and hands-on learning. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2014 with a bachelor’s in community, environment, and development. She has a worked for a variety of organic farms through the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) initiative and has spent five summers working for an outdoor education camp in Pennsylvania. In her free time, she is usually found hiking or biking and loves any activity that allows her to enjoy being outside and in nature. Meghan is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
Herb Page
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Herb at hpage@gmfts.org.
Herb joined GMFTS in August of 2015. As a farm-to-school coordinator he works with schools in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, coordinating and implementing educational programs to engage students with local foods, healthy nutrition, and food systems. While attending Kenyon College in Ohio, Herb managed a community garden program and donated all produce grown to area food banks. After graduation he stayed in Ohio and helped run his university’s local food program. For the past three summers Herb apprenticed on organic grass and produce farms in Ohio and his home state of Minnesota. He loves getting his hands in the dirt and watching plants grow throughout the season. Herb is excited to be living in Vermont where there is easy access to the outdoors and fantastic cheese. Herb is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
Caroline Aubry
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Caroline at caubry@gmfts.org.
Caroline Aubry joined GMFTS in 2015. As a farm-to-school coordinator, she works closely with teachers, parents, and farmers in the Northeast Kingdom to connect children to the local food system and promote healthy eating habits by facilitating taste tests, planning farm field trips, and leading in-class workshops. Caroline graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s in international studies and human rights. Before joining the GMFTS team, Caroline served as a part-time AmeriCorps member in Dayton, Ohio helping homeless youth lead self-sufficient lives by empowering them to overcome issues of food access. After graduation, Caroline traveled to Sangilo, Malawi to conduct an independent research study on food security. In her free time, Caroline enjoys long bike rides and kayak trips, good books, and baking with friends. She is thrilled to be living in such a beautiful area of Vermont with so much to offer, and looks forward to meeting and working with local community members. Caroline is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
Jeyna Diallo
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Jeyna at jdiallo@gmfts.org.
Jeyna Diallo joined GMFTS in 2015 as a farm-to-school coordinator. Her primary responsibilities are to deliver GMFTS educational programs to schools in the Northeast Kingdom such as taste tests, farm field trips, and in-class workshops, maintain school gardens, and to encourage partnerships between schools and local food providers. Jeyna graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in May with a bachelor’s in environmental studies. She wrote her senior thesis about farm-to-fork restaurants in Southern Maine, specifically on their partnerships with local farmers. Prior to joining the GMFTS team, Jeyna worked in her hometown, Alexandria, Va., as a farm camp counselor at Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture. She loves to cook and explore new places. Jeyna is thrilled to be back in New England and to take in all the natural beauty the Northeast Kingdom has to offer. Jeyna is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
Carolyn Richards
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Carolyn at crichards@gmfts.org.
Carolyn joined GMFTS in August of 2016. As a farm-to-school coordinator, her primary responsibilities include encouraging local food consumption and promoting nutrition education by creating long lasting partnerships between schools, farmers, and the community. She received a bachelor’s in environmental studies with a concentration in food, land, and community from the University of Vermont in May 2016. Over the past few years she has had the opportunity to teach in a school for disabled children in Mumbai, India, farmed abroad through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), and interned with the Intervale Food Hub in Burlington, Vermont to encourage students at UVM to purchase local food and educate them about affordable local food options. Carolyn enjoys being pushed out of her comfort zone and trying new things from food to traveling to making new friends. As a Vermont native, she is excited to explore a new part of the state and contribute positively to the improvement of our unique and robust food system. Carolyn is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
Aude Girin
AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator
Contact Aude at agirin@gmfts.org.
Aude joined Green Mountain Farm-to-School in September of 2016. As a farm-to-school coordinator she helps encourage local food consumption through hands-on educational programs and strengthen connections between the schools and local food systems. Aude received a bachelor’s in psychology from Pennsylvania State University in 2014. After graduating, she served with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps where she worked closely with various nonprofits on the west coast. During her service term, she volunteered with a farm-to-school network and several community gardens where she learned to better understand the structures of local food systems and community involvement. Aude is eager to explore the many wonders of Vermont including hiking, camping, wildlife sightings, and great food! Aude is serving through the Lyndon Economic opportunity and AmeriCorps Program.
MEET THE BOARD
Hope Colburn
Treasurer
Glover, VT
David Stackpole
Board Chair Emeritus
Stowe, VT
Holly Wyllie
North Troy, VT
Steve Wright
Newport, VT
Amy Crank
Hardwick, VT
Merlin Backus
Westfield, VT
Colleen Moore de Ortiz
Newport City, VT
Steve Breault
Ogden, QC
Dr. Thomas Moseley
Newport, VT
Dr. Katherine Sims
Newport
John Castle
Holland
OUR PROGRAMS
Farm-to-School
The Northeast Kingdom Farm-to-School Program helps schools in the Northeast Kingdom build school gardens, source local food, and provide nutrition and agriculture education.
Vermont Harvest of the Month
Vermont Harvest of the Month is a statewide campaign that promotes a different Vermont-grown crop each month and provides ready-to-use materials for classrooms, cafeterias, and communities.
Green Mountain Farm Direct
Farm Direct is a regional food hub distributing local food to schools, institutions, and other sales outlets in northern Vermont.
The Lunchbox
The Lunchbox is a summer meal program and mobile learning kitchen that brings locally-grown food and food-based education to communities in the Northeast Kingdom.
GALLERY
FROM OUR BLOG
Fresh, Local, Free – Lunchbox Readies to Serve Summer Lunches
The Lunchbox food truck will be on the road again for its fifth summer, serving up free meals to kids and fresh, local lunches for three communities in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
For many kids who participate in free or reduced lunch programs during the school year, the free summer meal is one of their best sources for nutritious food while school is on break. For community members, the Lunchbox is a fresh, local, and delicious lunch option that comes with an added perk – all the proceeds from lunch sales go directly to running the free summer meal program and help to serve even more children. Read More…
GET INVOLVED
Join us in our effort to build healthy communities through food and education.
Volunteer
We have a wide variety of ways of volunteer opportunities; some are weekly commitments, while others are one-time-only contributions of time and energy. All efforts are greatly appreciated. Volunteer opportunities include: gardening, supporting educational programs, marketing and outreach, special events, office support, research projects, fundraising, and committee membership.
To learn more about volunteering with GMFTS, contact Shane Rogers at srogers@gmfts.org or call 802-334-2044.
Internship Opportunities
We are looking for individuals who are self-motivated, creative, detail-oriented, and who have an interest in building healthy communities through food and education.
Internships are available in the following areas:
Each summer Green Mountain Farm-to-School offers internship opportunities to individuals who are self-motivated, creative, detail-oriented, and who have an interest in building healthy communities through food and education. Each internship is unique and tailored to best fit the needs of the individual and the organization. Internships can include working on food access, consumer education, or communication projects that support all of GMFTS programs. To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to Catherine Cusack at ccusack@gmfts.org.
EMPLOYMENT
Employment is available in the following areas:
Green Mountain Farm-to-School is seeking a AmeriCorps farm-to-school coordinator. For information about the position, how to apply, and example of a weekly schedule please follow the links below.
