Advocates urge Vermont legislature to keep $500,000 for Farm to School and Local Food Incentive programs

Advocates from schools, farms and food hubs told a legislative committee that Vermont should continue level funding of $500,000 each for the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Grants and the Local Food Incentive program to sustain local purchasing and food-education work in schools.

The request came during testimony to a State House committee from Dana Hudson, coordinator of the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network at Shelburne Farms, who asked lawmakers to "support the governor's budget proposal for both the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Grama Program and the Local Food Incentive Program with level based funding appropriations of $500,000 each." Hudson said the programs help schools, farmers and children by connecting classroom learning with local food and strengthening school food purchasing of Vermont products.

Supporters told the committee these programs work together: the Farm to School grants build school capacity and education, the Local Food Incentive program reimburses schools to buy Vermont food, and Universal School Meals expands participation so more children receive those meals. "These programs make a huge difference in the ability of schools to buy their food from Vermont farmers," Hudson…