Vermont Farm to School advocates ask lawmakers for $500,000 each to boost local food in schools

Advocates for Vermont’s Farm to School programs told a legislative committee on Jan. 13 they are seeking level funding of $500,000 for each of two state programs in fiscal year 2027 to expand local food purchasing and school-based education about agriculture.

Kayla Strong, Farm to Institution program director at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont and a representative of the Farm to School Early Childhood Network, told committee members the network’s three-pronged approach—classroom, cafeteria and community—links school meals to local farms and supports both student learning and the state’s farm economy. "We're here today to ask you for level funding of two critical programs in FY27: the Farm to School Early Childhood Grants program and the Local Foods Incentive program," Strong said.

Strong said roughly $25,000,000 is spent on school food statewide and that about 14% of…