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.
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.
Geoffrey Bok, Craftsbury, VT
John Castle, Acting Board Chair, Holland, VT
Dr. Kristy Ellis, Secretary, Jay, VT
Steve Wright, Newport, VT
Dr. Thomas Moseley, Newport, VT
Dr. Katherine Sims, Newport, VT
Catherine Cusack, Executive Director
Cheryl Galipeau, Food Hub Logistics Manager
Alida Farrell, Consumer Education and Food Access Coordinator
Becca Perrin, Food Hub Account Manager
Elyse Perambo, Farm to School Program Director
Erin Katz, AmeriCorps Farm to School Coordinator
Sean Morrissey, AmeriCorps Farm to School Coordinator
Emma Trainor, AmeriCorps Farm to School Coordinator
Addie Irvin, AmeriCorps Farm to School Coordinator
Visit our Staff Page to contact and learn more about our staff members.
Our Programs
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 is a statewide campaign that promotes a different Vermont-grown crop each month and provides ready-to-use materials for classrooms, cafeterias, and communities.
Farm Direct is a regional food hub distributing local food to schools, institutions, and other sales outlets in northern Vermont.
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.
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Get Involved
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 Jessica Weston at jweston@gmfts.org or call 802-334-2044.
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:
Summer Internship
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.
