Page 44 - 2022 Annual Report

Green Mountain Farm-to-School

Town of Brighton:
Green Mountain Farm-to-School is requesting an appropriation in the amount of
$1.000 from the Town of Brighton to support the Brighton School Garden Program
and the associated Farm-to-School Program.

Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is a non-profit organization with a
mission to strengthen local food systems in Vermont by promoting positive economic
relationships, education, and access between schools, farms, and communities. In
2022, our Green Mountain Farm Direct program distributed $542,938 worth of local
food from 51 farms and producers to 116 schools, retailers, restaurants, food shelves,
and other institutions throughout Vermont; our Lunchbox program provided 4,000
free meals to NEK children in the summer months; and our Farm-to-School program
served 2,412 students in 15 different NEK schools.

As part of our Farm-to-School program, GMFTS coordinates student and community
involvement in the Brighton School Garden. Over the last year. every student at the
school has been involved in maintaining and harvesting the garden. Produce from
the garden was served to students in the school cafeteria or provided to community
members in need in the summer months. GMFTS also worked with the school
to purchase local food, host monthly taste tests, teach nutrition and gardening
workshops, and lead farm field trips.

With the town’s help, GMFTS can continue to provide the School Garden and Farm-
to-School Program for the Town of Brighton, producing fresh local food for the
cafeteria, and giving students the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy
food choices. The funding from grants, towns, individuals, and businesses covers a
portion of the school garden and Farm-to-School Program. Funds received from the
town will pay for tools, seeds, eguipment and supplies, as well as staff time needed to
maintain the school garden in the summer months.

Thank you for your consideration and please reach out if you have any questions or
need additional information.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Cusack
Executive Director

44 Town of Brighton, VT