Vermont Offered Grants to Boost Fresh Produce in Child Care
Early childhood education providers can apply for funding to purchase local CSA produce shares for their programs.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has opened applications for $150,000 in grants to help childcare centers secure weekly shares of seasonal produce. The funding is designed to connect early childhood programs with local farms through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model.
Why it matters
By covering costs for CSA memberships, these grants help childcare institutions overcome the financial and logistical barriers associated with sourcing local fresh produce. This initiative aims to increase children's daily access to seasonal nutrition within Vermont's early education landscape.
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets is offering $150,000 in grant funding for early childhood education providers to purchase CSA memberships. The program is administered through LocalHarvest, though the total number of recipients has not been established.
The players
Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
A state government body that oversees the promotion and development of Vermont's agricultural sector and food systems.
LocalHarvest
An organization that connects consumers with local food sources, including farms and community-supported agriculture programs.
The details
The grant program funds the purchase of CSA shares, which provide facilities with weekly boxes of seasonal, locally grown produce. By partnering with LocalHarvest, participating centers gain a consistent supply chain for fresh food that might otherwise be difficult for individual childcare sites to procure on their own. Eligible applicants include registered or licensed early childhood education providers and local non-profit organizations.
Timeline
Grant applications opened on October 2, 2026.
The deadline for all grant applications is November 12, 2026.
Health Landscape
This initiative follows the national pattern of localizing food procurement established by the USDA Farm to School Program. It signals a move toward state-managed investment in early childhood nutrition infrastructure.
If you represent an early childhood education facility or non-profit in Vermont, you may consider applying for this funding to improve your food offerings. It is worth reviewing the FY27 Farm to School CSA Grant webpage to determine if your specific site qualifies for the upcoming intake.
The takeaway
Increasing access to fresh, seasonal produce early in life is a key focus for supporting child nutrition. Interested eligible organizations should prepare their materials for the application portal before the November deadline.
What happens next
The grant application window closes on November 12, 2026, at which point the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets will begin the review process.
Further reading
To learn more about the state's efforts to support fresh and local nutrition, visit the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My NBC5.
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Should your local government fund farm-to-school programs to provide fresh food in child care centers?
