The Farm-to-School Network provides Vermont Schools with the on-going coordination of farm-to-school activities that promote the health of Vermont's children, farms and communities. Through the FTS Network, GMFTS Farm-to-School District Coordinators work with school staff to develop, implement and manage activities that build relationships between schools, farms and communities.
Our comprehensive services are designed to provide:
- Fresh food for cafeterias
- Support for local farms
- Educational programs for students
- Events and activities for building community
FTS Activities Include:
- Coordinate local food purchasing
- Taste Tests
- Grow-A-Row Program
- School Composting
- Farm Field Trips
- In-class nutrition and agriculture workshops
- School garden activities
- FTS Committees
- Harvest Festivals
Working in schools, GMFTS can target children at an age when life-lasting behaviors are formed and can seek to promote healthy eating behaviors. Schools serve meals to students twice a day and by serving local food in the school cafeteria, the program ensures that every student, regardless of his or her socioeconomic group, has access to fresh, nutritious foods. In addition, when students make direct connections between their health and the foods they consume, they become informed consumers and gain the knowledge and skills they need to grow and prepare low-cost, nutritious foods.
GMFTS provided over 1,500 students with fresh, local foods including apples, meat, produce and berries.