Press Release
GMFTS Delivering Free Meals to Migrant Farm Workers in the NEK through Vermont Everyone Eats
By on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 in Food Insecurity, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release, Uncategorized. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School Delivering Free Meals to Migrant Farm Workers in the NEK through Vermont Everyone Eats NEWPORT, VT Contact: Alida Farrell, Local Food Access Coordinator afarrell@gmfts.org March 22, 2021 In an effort to reach some of the most important yet underserved populations of the Northeast Kingdom, Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is delivering 130 free Read the full article…
Green Mountain Farm Direct Hits Record Sales Week, Distributes More Local Food to NEK Communities
By on Friday, January 8th, 2021 in Farm Direct, Food Insecurity, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release, Producers, Uncategorized. No Comments
NEWPORT, VT Contact: Amrita Parry, Food Hub Accounts Manager Green Mountain Farm-to-School aparry@gmfts.org (802) 334-2044 Green Mountain Farm Direct Hits Record Sales Week, Distributes More Local Food to NEK Communities Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is a small nonprofit based out of Newport, VT, working with local farmers and the charitable food system to overcome Read the full article…
Green Mountain Farm-to-School Receives Grant to Deliver Local Food to Craftsbury and Albany Food Share Programs
By on Thursday, October 15th, 2020 in Farm Direct, Food Insecurity, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release, Producers. No Comments
CRAFTSBURY, VT Contact: Catherine Cusack, Executive Director October 8, 2020 The Green Mountain Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) to support the purchase and delivery of local food for the Craftsbury and Albany food share program. The deliveries will be facilitated by GMFTS’s local food Read the full article…
Farm to School is Enhancing the Outdoor Classroom in Northeast Kingdom Schools
By on Friday, September 25th, 2020 in Farm-to-School, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release, Uncategorized. No Comments
NEWPORT, VT Contact: Maire Folan, mfolan@gmfts.org (802) 334-2044 September 21, 2020 Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is working with 15 schools in the Northeast Kingdom to provide meaningful STEM learning opportunities in the outdoors this school year. “Outdoor classrooms” have become increasingly popular this year, as teachers take their students outdoors as much as possible – Read the full article…
GMFTS Hosts Free Local Food Distribution Event with NEKCA in Canaan
By on Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 in Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release, Uncategorized. No Comments
NEWPORT, VT Contact: Jessica Weston, jweston@gmfts.org, (802) 334-2044 September 16, 2020 Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS), a small nonprofit based out of Newport, VT, has been working to fight ongoing COVID-19 related food insecurity while contributing to local economic recovery by connecting local farmers with the charitable food system. Their local food hub, Green Mountain Farm Read the full article…
Local School Harvest Festivals are a Success!
By on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 in Farm-to-School, Press Release, Uncategorized. No Comments
NEWPORT, VT Contact: Jessica Weston, jweston@gmfts.org, (802) 334-2044 October 9, 2019 Did you know? October is National Farm to School Month! Green Mountain Farm To School (GMFTS) was excited to celebrate this occasion with the successful completion of several Harvest Festivals at 11 different Northeast Kingdom Schools. These festivals are a unique culmination of the Read the full article…
Lunchbox sees 76% increase in free meals served
By on Thursday, August 29th, 2019 in Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release. No Comments
August 28, 2019 – NEWPORT, VT Between June 19th and August 15th, the Lunchbox food truck, a free summer meal site, served 3,219 free meals to kids and teens and sold 583 adult meals to community members in Barton, Derby, and Newport, Vermont. The number of meals served represents a 76% increase in free meals Read the full article…
GMFTS On-Farm Dinner connects the community to local farmers
By on Thursday, November 1st, 2018 in Press Release. No Comments
NEWPORT, VT- October, 31, 2018 On Thursday, October 18th, an unseasonably cold day, 37 members of our community gathered for Green Mountain Farm-to-School’s 2018 Fall On-Farm Community Dinner at Morningstar Farm in Glover, Vermont. The event was an opportunity to connect individuals with area farmers and celebrate the region’s vibrant local food economy. The event Read the full article…
Communities gather for Harvest Festivals at local schools
By on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 in Farm-to-School, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Press Release. No Comments
For its tenth consecutive year, Green Mountain Farm-to-School will host Harvest Festivals with 11 Northeast Kingdom schools in celebration of local food, agriculture and healthy communities. Harvest Festivals are an opportunity for the community to gather around and share a meal prepared by students from produce harvested from school gardens or sourced from local producers. Read the full article…
Green Mountain Farm-to-School Strategic Plan 2018-2021
By on Monday, June 11th, 2018 in Press Release. No Comments
In October 2017, we convened with staff and our board of directors to develop a robust strategic plan to guide our work in the coming four years. With this plan in hand, our organization strives towards achieving our vision to build a local food system in Vermont that promotes environmental stewardship, creates a sustainable economy, Read the full article…
Lunchbox Returns with Summer Food Service Program
By on Wednesday, June 6th, 2018 in Press Release. No Comments
Lunchbox Returns with Summer Food Service Program The Lunchbox, a summer meal program providing food education, is on the road again this season! Starting June 20th, the Lunchbox will be serving 10 weeks of free meals to kids 18 and under throughout the summer. Breakfast is served from 8 AM – 10 AM and lunch Read the full article…
‘Hill Farmstead Half’ Marathon raises funds for GMFTS
By on Thursday, May 24th, 2018 in Press Release. No Comments
Craftsbury Outdoor Center presents the “Hill Farmstead Half” – a point to point trail and dirt road half marathon from the Craftsbury Outdoor Center to Hill Farmstead Brewery. Race entries raise money for Green Mountain Farm to School’s mission to strengthen local food systems in the NEK by promoting positive economic and educational relationships among schools, farms, and communities. Set Read the full article…
GMFTS Welcomes Three New Team Members
By on Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is pleased to welcome three new talented individuals to their staff – Sophie Westover, Jeyna Diallo, and Nick Chmura. Read More…
Serving Up Food, Fun and Education in the Summer
By on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
It’s an August day, 2017, and the children of the Northeast Kingdom(NEK) are enjoying the summer break from school. This particular day happens to be Friday, so The Lunchbox, the food truck of Green Mountain Farm to School (GMFTS) that brings free meals to kids 18 and under, is parked at Pavilion Park Read the full article…
Farm to School in the Northeast Kingdom and Beyond
By on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
October is National Farm to School month and Green Mountain Farm to School (GMFTS) is gearing up! Activities and celebrations are taking place in schools across the state, as Governor Scott signed a declaration on October 2nd to proclaim this month as Vermont’s official Farm to School Month. The benefits of Farm to School are Read the full article…
GMFTS Has a Fresh Plan for Making Coupons More Accessible
By on Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 in Coupon Program, Press Release. No Comments
Vermont has a wealth of farm fresh foods, yet access to affordable, local produce is often not viable for some residents of the Northeast Kingdom (NEK). Low-income individuals and families who depend on 3squaresVT need their food dollars to stretch as far as possible.To address this challenge, Green Mountain Farm to School (GMFTS) will be Read the full article…
Summer Block Party Kicks Off Summer in Newport
By on Tuesday, June 13th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
The 4th Annual Summer Block Party will be held at Gardner Park in Newport, Vt. on Thursday, June 22 from 3 PM to 6 PM. The event is free and open to the public.
The afternoon will feature free food for all kids 18-years-old and younger from the Lunchbox food truck, family-friendly games and activities such as dancing and face painting, and a fun-run around the park. The Summer Block Party is hosted by Green Mountain Farm-to-School and Newport Parks and Recreation. Read More…
Fresh, Local, Free – Lunchbox Readies to Serve Summer Lunches
By on Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
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…
Northeast Kingdom Farms Lay Roots in Local Schools, Institutions
By on Saturday, April 1st, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm Direct, a food hub run by Green Mountain Farm-to-School, is working to connect local farmers with schools, restaurants, and institutions across northern Vermont to increase the farm’s sales and boost consumption of local food in institutions and the overall region. Those partnerships have created a distribution infrastructure in the region that has helped to improve the community’s access to healthy, local food while also growing the local economy. Watch the video…
Green Mountain Farm-to-School Welcomes Two New Team Members
By on Saturday, April 1st, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School is pleased to welcome two new talented individuals to their staff – Edifice Jengo and Kendall Lambert. Read More…
Northeast Kingdom Celebrates Local Flavors at Jay Peak
By on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
Guests from throughout the Northeast Kingdom and Canada enjoyed a delicious evening at Jay Peak Resort this past February during Green Mountain Farm-to-School’s 9th Annual Taste of the Kingdom – an event celebrating the vibrant food scene of the Northeast Kingdom. Read More…
Northern Vermont Elementary Schools Dive into Composting
By on Friday, January 13th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
School cafeterias across Northern Vermont are closing the food cycle as they lead the way in diverting food scraps from landfills through composting. More than 10 Northeast Kingdom elementary schools that work with Green Mountain Farm-to-School. Read More…
Parsnip Party! Northern Vermont Celebrates Harvest of the Month
By on Friday, January 6th, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
More than 1,400 pounds of parsnips were delivered across northern Vermont in the beginning of January as schools and businesses prepared to celebrate the Vermont Harvest of the Month – a state-wide education campaign which celebrates a different seasonal and local Vermont product each month. Read More…
Organic Co-op Deeply Rooted in New England Agriculture
By on Monday, January 2nd, 2017 in Press Release. No Comments
Founded in 1986, Deep Root Organic Cooperative is one of the oldest co-ops of organic vegetables growers in the United States. Having evolved into a 23 member farmer-owned cooperative, they source organic produce, year-round, from member farms located throughout northern Vermont and southern Quebec. Read More…
Vermont Farm-to-School Network Launches Legislative Campaign
By on Wednesday, December 14th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
The Vermont Farm to School Network is launching a campaign to encourage the state Legislature to support $500,000 in funding to expand access to farm to school programs in more Vermont schools. Read More…
GMFTS Welcomes New Executive Director
By on Thursday, November 10th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) welcomes James Hafferman as their next executive director. He assumed the position in January as founder and current executive director, Katherine Sims, transitioned to the role of development director. Read More…
Smitty’s Farm Dinner Brings Community Together
By on Friday, October 14th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School teamed up with Smitty’s Farm in Newport, Vt. to hold a free, On-Farm Community Dinner that was open to the public. The evening featured a dinner that used Vermont seasonal produce and showcased Smitty’s Farm’s berries. Read More…
Green Mountain Farm-to-School Open House Slide Show
By on Tuesday, October 11th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
On October 1, Green Mountain Farm-to-School opened the doors of the beautifully renovated building they are now renting in the historic downtown Newport. Read More…
GMFTS Office Tour Through Photos
By on Saturday, October 1st, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Green Mountain Farm-to-School has moved offices! They are renting a beautiful, historic space in downtown Newport. Check out a quick virtual tour below. Read More…
Students Get Fresh for Harvest Festivals
By on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
The kids are back in school, the gardens are bursting with the season’s harvest and it is harvest festival time for students across the Northeast Kingdom. Read More…
Berry Fun at Smitty’s Farm
By on Friday, August 12th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Started in 2006, Sharon and Greg “Smitty” Smith, have grown Smitty’s Farm, formerly known as North Derby Organic Berry Farm, from 2,000 berry plants to over 35,000 today Read More…
Lunchbox Drives Up Free Summer Meal Participation
By on Monday, August 1st, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Good news; Vermont ranks third in the country for serving free summer meals to children. Bad news; Vermont is still only reaching 33.3 percent of the children who qualify for free or reduced lunch during the school year. Read More…
Coupon Program Helps Low-Income NEK Residents
By on Thursday, July 7th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
The final report for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Coupon Program, compiled by Wholesome Wave based off of information collected by the University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture, has been released by Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS). Read More…
GMFTS Plants School Gardens Across the Kingdom
By on Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
For the past three weeks, Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) has been helping schools plant school gardens across the Northeast Kingdom. Between farm-to-school and after-school programs, GMFTS helped to plant over 20 school gardens this spring which the students from the school will then harvest in the fall and be able to eat in their cafeteria. Read More…
The Lunchbox Serves up Free Summer Meals in the NEK
By on Sunday, June 12th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
The Lunchbox food truck, through Green Mountain Farm-to-School, will be on the road again this season serving free meals to kids 18-years-old and younger and offering food education beginning June 15. Read More…
Fun and Games at the Summer Block Party in Newport
By on Sunday, June 5th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
The 3rd Annual Summer Block Party in the Kingdom, a free community-wide event, will be held June 16 from 3 PM to 6 PM at Gardner Park in Newport. Kids 18-years-old and younger will be treated to a free meal from the Lunchbox food truck. Read More…
Butterworks Farm: Happy, Organic Soil and Cows
By on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
“The way we see the world is because of organic farming,” says Jack Lazor, owner and operator of Butterworks Farm in Westfield, Vt. “Having a relationship with the earth has a huge impact on the way you make decisions; everything from what you eat to how you care for things.” Read More…
Lyndon State College Recognizes Sims for GMFTS Work
By on Tuesday, May 17th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Lyndon, Vermont – Katherine Sims was awarded the Presidential Medal of Distinction by Lyndon State College President Joe Bertolino during the college’s commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 15. Sims was honored for her work as founder and executive director of Green Mountain Farm-to-School. Read More…
EatingWell Helps Vermonters Celebrate Harvest of the Month
By on Sunday, April 17th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
EatingWell, an award-winning national consumer magazine based out of Shelburne, Vt., has teamed up with Green Mountain Farm-to-School and Vermont Harvest of the Month to create and fund easy-to-use recipes and recipe booklets featuring each month’s celebrated harvest that will be used throughout the state to promote healthy, seasonal eating. Read More…
St. Johnsbury Academy Weekly Dinner Celebrates Local Farmers
By on Friday, April 15th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
It’s Wednesday evening at St. Johnsbury Academy and the cafeteria is set up family-style for the 270 students who are part of the school’s boarding program. This is a special meal that has taken the better part of a week to plan and the Academy’s teachers and other school staff are encouraged to attend as well. Read More…
Derby and Newport Schools Grow Curriculum in School Gardens
By on Friday, April 8th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Science teachers from Derby Elementary School (DES) and Newport City Elementary (NCE), along with Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS), came together for last month to begin creating science curriculum that will be taught in the school garden. Read More…
Coupon Program Provides Fresh Produce for Vermonters
By on Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
In September, Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) began the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Coupon Program, a pilot program that allowed Orleans and Essex county residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, 3SquaresVT, to purchase an additional $75 of fresh fruits and vegetables through the end of February. Read More…
The Quiet Sugarers: Kingdom Mountain Maple
By on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Dan and Kim Backus live nestled into the foothills of the Green Mountains in Westfield, Vt., surrounded by mostly forest. They raise beef cows and grow hay in their open pastures, they cut firewood and sawlogs, and they produce a little bit of honey. Aside from Kim’s culinary prose as kitchen manager for Craftsbury Outdoor Center, the Backus’ are known in the Northeast Kingdom for something Dan has been doing for three decades – sugaring. Read More…
Coventry Chefs Compete in Culinary Cook-off for Kids
By on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Coventry, Vermont – A mix of delicious aromas filled the air of the Champlain Valley Exposition Center on Saturday, March 19, as over 50 teams of middle school and high school students competed in the Jr. Iron Chef competition run by Vermont Food Education Every Day (FEED). Plates of locally sourced, vegetarian dishes were being chopped, sautéed, and baked into existence by students, as young as sixth grade, that had spent weeks practicing and perfecting their culinary skills.
GMFTS Founder Nationally Recognized for ‘Shaping Rural America’
By on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016 in Press Release. No Comments
Newport, Vermont – Katherine Sims, founder and executive director of Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS), is being recognized nationally through Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives, a search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural communities and agriculture for the better.