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 2024 premier sponsors – The Abbey Group, Community National Bank and Jay Peak!
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
We are pleased to welcome four new members to our board of directors this year! Elaine Collins is one of them ☺️ Elaine is the Superintendent of Schools for North Country Supervisory Union.
“As a dairy farmer’s daughter with a lot of family members who still farm today, I believe in the mission of GMFTS to educate students about local food sources and to potentially connect them with passion for farming. This is an important way to sustain Vermont’s farming tradition…
I’m excited to be able to support the work and mission of GMFTS, especially in our NCSU schools.”
Read more about Elaine and our other board members on our website. Link in bio.
Mrs. Allen’s 3rd grade students participated in their first garden workshop of the new school year in Irasburg. GMFTS Farm-to-School-Coordinator, Courtney, brought the kids on a scavenger hunt to see what we could find in the garden and discovered something unexpected… a mole! Two weeks from now these same students will help harvest the garden for Irasburg’s Open House & Harvest Dinner!
Farm Direct is so excited to welcome our newest customer: the kitchen at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro! @highlandcenterforthearts
The next time you stop by for an event and one of Chef Anneleise’s gourmet dinners, keep an eye out for local cheeses from Barn First Creamery, @blueledgefarm, @sweetrowenfarmstead , and Creek Valley Farm, local produce from @petes.greens , @deep_meadow , @hurricaneflats , and locally made tofu from Vermont Soy, all sourced from Farm Direct.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting local producers, Highland Center!
Welcome to our new cohort of Americorps members - Lily, Marlow, Courtney and Olivia! This past weekend they learned how to use the cider press to make apple cider with local apples and pears. They are excited to share their cider skills with the community during some upcoming school open houses! 🍎
Large-scale agriculture often struggles with issues like soil depletion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Monoculture limits the ability of large industrialized farms to adapt to changing circumstances. In contrast, small farms can more easily embrace innovative practices to conserve resources and adapt to challenges, making them more adaptable and eco-friendly.
With Vermont’s recent flooding and the growing impacts of climate change, it’s crucial to support farming methods that work with nature. Small farms will be key to building resilient and sustainable communities.
#supportlocalfarms
This Wish List Wednesday we are seeking donations of the following new or gently used items for our after-school community cooking program:
-Large heavy bottom pot with lid x2
-Large frying pans x2
-Large casserole/deep baking dishes x4
To donate an item, please contact Hilary at hrosa@gmfts.org or call 802.334.2044
Whether you have a garden, belong to a CSA, or are the lucky recipient of a shared summer bounty, it’s sometimes challenging to use all of the produce before it spoils. Head to our blog to find some relatively quick and easy ways to prepare and preserve some common fruits and vegetables. 🫑Link in bio.
The Lunchbox truck is now headed back to the garage until next year! If you visited the program this summer, we hope you and your family enjoyed the meals and activities offered! 🥪🥒🚲📚🎨
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who made this year’s program possible ✨💛
- @abbeygroupvt crew for making delicious and nutritious meals
- @circussmirkus , @clifonline , Newport Bicycles, @newport.vermont , @nekwmd , VT Dept. of Health & WIC, Newport Head Start & Early Head Start, Barton Giving Garden, and our local libraries for running fun and educational activities
- @salvationfarmsvt , our schools/school gardens, and Hornet Hill Farm for donating fresh local produce to our Market Basket table
- and our sponsors for generously helping to fund the program!
This year our Lunchbox sponsors are: @abbeygroupvt , @communitynationalbankvt , @jaypeakresort , @jasperhillfarm , @susankelleyharkey , @century21farmandforest , @concept2inc , @nekwmd , @eastrisecu , @northcountryfcu , @northcountryhospital , @passumpsicbank , @vt_electric_coop , @columbiaforestproducts , @poulinbuild , Taylor-Moore Agency and Union Bank. See all our sponsors on our website.
Link in bio to complete our annual program survey to share your feedback about this summer’s program.
Until next summer!
