Farmers

Farmer talking with students in a field.

Vermont’s farm to school and early childhood movement is rooted in community, connecting children with local food and the people who grow it. Farmers and producers play a vital role by helping schools and early childhood programs serve fresh, local food while strengthening food system education.

We’re here to help you explore opportunities, build relationships, and share your story.

How Farmers Can Get Involved

  • Sell your products to schools: Many Vermont schools are committed to buying local. Learn what products schools are looking for, how procurement works, and how you can build relationships with school nutrition programs.
  • Host a field trip or farm tour: Farms are powerful classrooms! Teachers and students love visiting farms to see where their food comes from and to meet the people who grow it.
  • Visit a classroom or early childhood center: Bring your farm story to life by joining a class for a tasting, activity, or guest presentation, whether in person or virtually.
  • Celebrate Farm to School Month: October is Farm to School Month, and it’s a perfect time to partner with schools for Harvest of the Month, taste tests, recipe shares, and more.

Get Connected

Looking to start selling to schools or deepen your involvement in farm to school and early childhood? Collaborate with food hubs, agency partners, and school nutrition leaders working to grow local purchasing across Vermont.

Join our Local Purchasing Action Team

Key Resources for Farmers

Technical Assistance for Selling to Vermont Schools

Looking to start selling to Vermont schools? Contact kayla@nofavt.org to start a conversation about how to build relationships with schools and navigate school meal programs.

Selling Local Foods to Schools (USDA)

The USDA Selling Local Foods to Schools guide outlines how school food purchasing works and offers helpful tips for farmers looking to sell to K–12 markets.

Bringing the Farm to School: Producer Training (NFSN)

This resource hub from the National Farm to School Network includes workshop materials and tools to help producers build strong relationships with schools.

Farm-Based Education Network

The Farm-Based Education Network (FBEN) is a national community of practice supporting educators and farmers in delivering high-quality farm-based education. Find resources, training opportunities, and connections to others integrating farming and education across the country.

This Farm Feeds Vermont Map

Explore our statewide map of the farms selling to schools and early childhood programs. Reach out if you’d like to add your own farm to help schools find you and get connected.

Guide: Connecting Farms to Schools & Communities

Vermont FEED’s Guide for Connecting Farms to Schools & Communities supports producers navigating school markets with practical tips and stories from the field.

Farm to Institution (FINE) Resources

FINE’s resource library includes case studies, pricing guides, and supply chain tools to support producers working with institutional markets.

Vermont’s Farm to Institution Grants

Funding is available to help producers expand their school markets. Explore grant opportunities like the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant Program and the Farm to Institution Market Development Grant.

Stories to Inspire Your Work