Since 2007 the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Grant Program has been awarding Vermont schools with funds to integrate local foods in school cafeterias, classrooms and communities.

The goals of the grant program are to encourage schools and school districts to serve food to Vermont students that is as fresh and nutritious as possible; maximize the use of fresh, locally grown, produced and processed foods; educate students about healthy eating habits through nutrition education, including using hands-on techniques to make the connections between farming and the foods that students consume; increase the size and stability of farmers’ direct sales market; and increase school meal participation by increasing the selection of foods available to students.

This grant program is made possible by collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health and VT FEED (Food Education Every Day).

Applications for Farm-to-School Grants must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., October 15, 2009. Any application that does not meet this deadline will not be considered.