Contacts:
Helen Labun Jordan, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3828
Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Monday, January 14, 2008

Montpelier, Vt. - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture and Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED), in partnership with the Department of Health and Department of Education, are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2008 Farm to School grants. These recipients, along with last year’s program participants, will be honored at the Statehouse on Wednesday, January 16, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. at the Statehouse cafeteria.

In 2007, the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Program Bill solidified Vermont’s ongoing commitment to local foods in our school system. Secretary Roger Allbee points out that this commitment has a far-reaching effect. “It’s important that schools are supporting local agriculture through the food that they buy, but it’s just as important that they’re introducing kids to healthy eating habits and showing their whole community how to use, and enjoy, Vermont products.” Allbee adds that good food gives students a perfect introduction to learning about Vermont’s agricultural heritage.

“This important and innovative legislation supports farmers, school service providers, teachers and school administrators as they work to increase local products in our school cafeterias,” said Governor Jim Douglas. “Rozo McLaughlin was devoted to improving the health and welfare of Vermont’s children and she worked diligently to find ways to incorporate good nutrition for kids by linking local producers and schools.”

The funds can be used in a variety of ways to increase the use of local foods in school food service programs, help teach nutrition and farm-to-school connections and provide development and technical assistance to teachers for improving nutrition and health awareness.

Farm-to-School grant funding first became available from the legislature in 2006, for a 2007 grant round. Twelve schools accessed the $125,000 available in that first year. This year, seven schools received funding to implement farm-to-school activities, while three received funding to develop comprehensive farm-to-school plans. The program distributed $85,000 in this most recent round.

The 2008 grant recipients are:

• Twinfield Union School (Planning Grant)
• Thetford Academy (Planning Grant)
• Peoples Academy in Morrisville (Planning Grant)
• Alburgh Elementary School (Implementation Grant)
• Arlington School District (Implementation Grant)
• Bradford Elementary School (Implementation Grant)
• Fairfield Center School/Sheldon Elementary School (Implementation Grant)
• Lakeview Union School (Implementation Grant)
• Mettawee Community School (Implementation Grant)
• Vergennes Union Elementary (Implementation Grant)

• Establishing new purchasing relationships with local farmers
• Increasing capacity, through equipment, storage space and food service training, to use local ingredients year-round
• Taste testing new menu options with students
• Teaching students how they can prepare meals with local ingredients
• Involving area farmers and community members in agriculture-related education with talks, field trips and events.