Photos courtesy of Windham Northeast Supervisors Union, Kimberly Kaufman.
Vermont Business Magazine The Education Agency, in partnership with the Agency for Agriculture, Food and Markets, recognized six supervisory unions (SU/SD) that have achieved the highest rates of local purchasing through the established Local Food Incentive Grant Program in 2021. The efforts of schools, farms, community partners and the state continue to create new and exciting partnerships that are boosting both the economy and food access across the state.
Windham Northeast has paved the way for the success of this program in recent years. In recognition of their success and the other programs that have made impressive progress, on Monday, June 10, Interim Secretary Zoie Saunders held an event with the school community at Bellows Falls Union High School.
“Programs like this make Vermont’s education system unique,” said Acting Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. “In addition to receiving a nutritious meal, students learn about local landscapes and economies while deepening their understanding and connection to the state. By instilling an understanding of their environment, these SU/SD are empowering students to become the future administrators of Vermont.”
Now in its third year, the Local Food Incentive Grant program helps SU/SDs purchase local Vermont foods to serve in their Child Nutrition Programs. SU/SDs that purchased at least 15% local food will receive a grant ranging from $0.15 to $0.25 per lunch served, depending on their percentage of local purchasing. In real dollars, grants awarded typically range between $20,000 and $40,000 per SU/SD.
From maple syrup to beef to fresh vegetables, the program supported a variety of agricultural sectors and introduced students to foods they would not otherwise have access to. The program not only provided fresh, healthy meals to students, but also helped create a new market for many Vermont farmers.
“We are grateful to all the schools that offer local Vermont products in their cafeterias,” said Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts. “Fresh local food is great for students and supports our farmers and producers. These partnerships between education and agriculture are important because they grow our economy while providing nutritious meals to students. “Now, with year-over-year data, the Local Food Incentive Grant program has led to an increase in local food purchases among participating SU/SDs. Thirteen SU/SD applied for the grant in school years 22-23 and 23-24, providing us with accurate purchasing numbers. Comparing year-over-year data for this SU/SD group, local purchases increased 32%, from $730,541.69 in the 22-23 school year to $963,546.52 in the 23-24 school year.
Of the twenty SU/SDs that applied for the Local Food Incentive this year, six SU/SDs surpassed 15% and qualified for a grant:
Together, these six schools received $170,276.85 in grants and purchased $614,339.05 in local food. Harwood Unified School District dramatically increased its local purchases, going from 14% in the 2022-23 grant year to 23% in 2023-24, making it the second largest purchaser of local foods in the state. A change in their approach to food shopping caused this drastic increase in purchases.
“We started strategically placing our USDA Foods order to not include items we could buy locally, like raw ground beef and shredded cheddar cheese,” said HUUSD Food and Nutrition Co-Director Erika Dolan. “With a little extra work to ensure the items we were purchasing met local requirements, additional expense coding, and a different business mindset, we hit the 23% mark in FY22-23. “We are very proud of this achievement.”
Additionally, four SU/SDs applied in the entry year for the grant program, which does not require a specific local purchasing percentage but provides a grant of $0.15 per lunch served to help them prepare for future local purchasing. To receive a grant in future years, they will need to meet the 15% local purchasing threshold.
Nonprofit partners, including NOFA-VT, Shelburne Farms, Green Mountain Farm Direct, Food Connects, and Hunger Free Vermont, among others, have acted as liaisons between the farm and school communities. They have worked to support Vermont’s farm-to-school efforts while building connections with local farmers and vendors who deliver their products.
Since the Vermont Legislature established the program in 2021, the grant has launched multi-level community partnerships that address hunger, health and the economy.
About the Local Food Incentive Grant
This grant program was implemented in 2021 as part of a broader legislative effort to increase equitable access to a high-quality education for all students. High-quality meals are an essential part of a high-quality education, and purchasing local foods supports Vermont’s economy. The first year of the grant program supports schools as they set up their local purchasing process. After receiving a grant for the first year, schools are eligible to receive grants for the following year that are based on the percentage of local foods purchased. Schools that purchase 15% of their food locally qualify for an additional 15 cents per meal, while schools that purchase 20% qualify for an additional 20 cents and schools that purchase 25% qualify for an additional 25 cents. Other SU/SDs are learning from the successes of early recipients and will use what they have learned to increase local purchasing using this grant in the coming years.
About the Vermont Agency of Education
The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure that all Vermont students have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency achieves this mission by providing leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.
Connect with the Vermont Agency of Education at education.vermont.gov.
About the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) facilitates, supports and encourages the growth and viability of agriculture in Vermont while protecting the working landscape, human health, animal health, plant health, consumers and the environment.
For more information, visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets website at agriculture.vermont.gov.
Source: 6.10.2024 Montpelier, VT- Education Agency
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