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
Join us next Thursday to learn about, and celebrate, the transition of Green Mountain Natural Foods into a community-owned co-op! 🎊 And enjoy some delicious free samples from local producers! 🧀🍁🍷🥖
🗓️ When: August 21st, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Green Mountain Natural Foods, 194 Main St, Newport, VT 05855
This is the FINAL WEEK for The Lunchbox Summer 2025! We’ve still got plenty of free vegetables & books to give away. 🥬🥒📚
@clifonline is returning to The Lunchbox this week in Barton, along with WIC’s Farm-to-Family Coupons. And, back by popular demand, the Learn-to-Ride Bicycle Course will be at Gardner Park in Newport! It’s going to be a grand finale week, so come join in the fun. 🚲✨
If you’ve visited The Lunchbox at all this summer, we’d love to hear about your experience! Please take a few moments to fill out our Lunchbox Summer 2025 Survey - and help shape our program! Link in bio to survey.
This week at The Lunchbox, families enjoyed sampling different types of zucchini muffins, including plain, chocolate chip, and walnut. Zucchini-chocolate chip was a clear favorite! Families in Newport also enjoyed a presentation from local author, Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, plus a book giveaway sponsored by the @clifonline . We love partnering with CLiF to offer combined access to reading & nutrition throughout the summer months.
We also gave away a whopping 240 pounds of fresh food through our Market Basket table! Thanks to donations from @salvationfarmsvt , Hornet Hill Farm, @petes.greens , @berrycreekfarm1992 , and our own lovely staff members who donate from their home gardens & CSAs. This feature of our program has grown exponentially over the past couple of years, and we are thrilled to help spread the abundance of food grown right here in the NEK. 🥕🥒🍅🥬
There is just ONE WEEK LEFT of The Lunchbox! Come see us next week for more fun & good food.
We’re currently recruiting a new AmeriCorps team for this coming school year! This is a great opportunity to launch your career in food systems and/or education. 🌱
You will:
-Make a difference as you engage in community service
-Gain professional experience to build your career
-Join a welcoming and supportive team
-Experience the natural beauty of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom
We’re accepting applications until August 18th and the start date is September 2nd. This is a one year term of service that ends on August 7th, 2026. Visit our website or click the link in our bio to learn more & apply!
This time of year, our gardens are BURSTING with zucchini! This week at The Lunchbox, we’ll turn that zucchini into a delicious & nutritious snack using a simple recipe.
🌼🌱🌺🌱🍅🥒🥒🥒
WIC families - make sure to swing by Irasburg & Newport for some Farm-to-Family coupons!
And don’t miss story time in Newport, where local children’s book author Natalie Kinsey-Warnock will be reading and giving away free books, sponsored by @clifonline
If you’ve visited The Lunchbox at all this summer, we’d love to hear about your experience! Please take a few moments to fill out our Lunchbox Summer 2025 Survey - and help shape our program! Link in bio.
It was a great week for @circussmirkus Summer Roadshow at The Lunchbox - cool & breezy for our busiest week of the summer! Over 440 people showed up to Irasburg, Barton, and Newport to enjoy lunch + a free show! ✨🍕🥗
There are just two weeks left of The Lunchbox! If you’ve visited The Lunchbox at all this summer, we’d love to hear about your experience! Please take a few moments to fill out our Lunchbox Summer 2025 Survey - and help shape our program! Link in bio.
Come one, come all - the Circus is in town! 🎪 @circussmirkus Summer Roadshow, that is! Catch them at all three Lunchbox locations throughout the week - showtime starts at 11:30, so don’t be late!
Did we mention there’s free pizza for the kids? 🍕 🍕 🍕
Come see us from 11am-1pm at the following locations:
Tuesdays at Leach Public Library, Irasburg
Wednesdays at Barton Public Library
Thursdays at Gardner Park in Newport
If you’ve visited The Lunchbox at all this summer, we’d love to hear about your experience! Please take a few moments to fill out our Lunchbox Summer 2025 Survey - and help shape our program! Link in bio.
It was another great week at The Lunchbox, where kids & parents alike sampled garlic scape pesto. Results of the taste test were mixed, but some kids really liked it, and we gave away most of our garlic scapes, so that’s a win for us!
We are starting to see more zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes and cucumbers, along with the continuing abundance of kale, chard, and lettuce in the forecast! 🍅🥒
Make sure to come see us next week - @circussmirkus Summer Roadshow is coming to The Lunchbox! Showtime starts at 11:30 in Irasburg, Barton, and Newport. 🎪
