VT FEED is a Farm to School project of NOFA-VT & Shelburne Farms
Fourth Annual Northeast Farm to School Institute
June 26th will kickoff the three-day Institute's Summer Retreat, where twelve teams, representing all seven Northeast states, will gather to begin their year-long efforts to actualize a school-wide Farm to School Action Plan including curriculum, local procurement, utilizing outdoor learning spaces, and cultivating family and community connections.
"Around Vermont, children are eating healthier meals at school because Farm to School connects students to fields, and farmers to classrooms. I'm proud to have been able to take Vermonters' fresh ideas about the Farm to School movement to Capitol Hill and to turn our state's experience into action. With the Farm to School Institute, communities from across our region can share in the program's success and realize the health benefits that come when children enjoy fresh, locally grown food at school.""
While Vermont schools and communities have been cooking up great Farm to School activities all year, the Vermont Farm to School Network Action Teams have been busy tackling strategic projects to strengthen Farm to School throughout the state.
Winning Jr Iron Chef VT teams gathered at the Vermont Statehouse to witness the reading of a Jr. Iron Chef VT Resolution and be recognized by their House Representatives. While cooking up their award-winning recipes for the Legislators during the lunch hour, they acted as ambassadors for the Vermont Farm to School movement to effect change in their local food system. Congrats!
Ryan Morra and Jen Cirillo's previously shared research brief exploring Farm to School and school culture has officially been published in the 2018 Spring issue of The Journal of Child Nutrition & Management: A Publication of the School Nutrition Association!
Our School Food Programs Coordinator Marissa Watson (pictured second from left) recently accepted an exciting opportunity as the Sustainability Manager for Sodexo at UVM Dining. We will sorely miss her positive energy, expertise, and can-do attitude, but we're thrilled to see what innovative work she will bring to the Vermont food systems community in her new position. Congratulations, Marissa!
