Healthy Food Systems
Strengthening our state’s production of safe, healthy food, and expanding access to healthy food for all Vermonters.
Healthy food is fundamental — to our children and their ability to succeed, our farms and their ability to thrive, and the well-being of our economy, our families, ourselves.
Selected grantees
These nonprofits are building Vermont’s capacity to produce healthy food and get it to everyone who needs it.
Hunger Free Vermont
Two out of five Vermonters face food insecurity. Hunger Free Vermont works to make long-term changes:
- It works to expand free meal programs for children, with schools as hubs — so every young Vermonter gets at least one nutritious, farm-fresh meal every day, including summer breakfasts and lunches.
- Hunger Free organizes and supports 10 regional Hunger Councils, whose network of over 1,100 individuals, groups and organizations coordinates local responses to food needs and addresses issues of hunger and poverty.
- It advocates at local, state, and federal levels for action and funding that supports nutrition programs, builds access to locally produced food, and connects all Vermonters — from children to seniors — to the nutrition resources they need.
NOFA-VT
Founded more than 50 years ago, NOFA-VT supports and strengthens organic farming and farmers:
- NOFA-VT provides organic farms with investments in resilience: farmer-to-farmer support, grant funding, and help with business development.
- It works to build local food access, with subsidized Farm Share and Senior Farm Share CSA programs.
- All over Vermont, the nonprofit has certified almost 800 food producers and processors committed to soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare.
Real Organic Project
Part of a nationwide farmer-led movement, the Real Organic Project protects the true meaning of “organic”:
- The project has developed the Real Organic label for food grown in soil or raised on pasture. It educates consumers about the importance of real organic farming — and how it impacts nutrition, water and air quality, the climate, social justice, and the health of our communities.
- Members nationwide advocate against the USDA’s expansion of “organic” to include soil-free hydroponic production and industrial livestock confinement.
- The project inspects and certifies 300-400 new “Real Organic” farms each year, across Vermont and the United States.
Center for an Agricultural Economy
In Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the Center for an Agricultural Economy promotes local foods and the people who produce them:
- Three “food hub” enterprises provide farms with commercial kitchens produce processing, and delivery/distribution services.
- Local producers receive business advice and support that’s shaped to their needs.
- A revolving loan fund provides quick, “low-fuss” access to capital, with emergency, “Business Builder” and “New Producer” loans.
Apply for a Grant
Let’s shape Vermont’s future together. Learn more about our funding requirements and how to apply for a grant through the Lintilac Foundation.
