Vermont’s pioneering Farm to School program has been recognized as the most comprehensive in the nation, according to a new USDA report highlighting innovative approaches to connecting farmers with local school food systems.
The program, which now reaches over 83% of Vermont schools, has dramatically increased the amount of locally produced food in school cafeterias while providing nutrition education and agricultural learning opportunities for students.
“When we started this journey 15 years ago, the idea of sourcing school lunches from local farms seemed ambitious,” said Emma Peirce, coordinator of Vermont’s Farm to School Network. “Today, Vermont schools spend an average of 19% of their food budgets on products from Vermont farms and food producers — the highest percentage in the country.”
The initiative has created a reliable market for local farmers while addressing food insecurity and improving student nutrition. Participating schools report higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and reduced food waste.
At Bristol Elementary School, which has participated in the program for over a decade, students maintain a school garden and learn about local agriculture through regular field trips to nearby farms.
“The children are more willing to try new vegetables when they’ve grown them themselves or met the farmer who grew them,” said school nutrition director Laura Collins. “We’ve seen measurable improvements in student health metrics since implementing the program.”
Beyond nutrition, the program provides economic benefits throughout the state. A recent University of Vermont study found that every dollar spent on local food in schools generates an additional $1.60 in local economic activity.
“Farm to School is creating resilient local food systems that benefit our entire community,” said James Morton, a dairy farmer from Addison County who supplies milk to six area schools. “It’s providing predictable income for farmers while educating the next generation about sustainable agriculture.”
The program’s success has sparked interest from other states seeking to replicate Vermont’s model. Education officials from as far away as California and Florida have visited Vermont schools to observe the program in action.
Vermont’s legislature recently approved additional funding to expand the initiative to early childhood education centers and nursing homes.
“Vermont has shown what’s possible when communities commit to supporting local agriculture and improving food quality in public institutions,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack in the USDA report. “Their comprehensive approach represents a model for the nation.”
