The Essex Westford School District has been highlighted for its use of local foods to feed its students. The Vermont Agency of Education, in partnership with the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets, recognized 12 districts/supervisory unions in the state that have achieved the highest rates of local purchasing through the 2025 round of the Local Foods Incentive Grant program.
Through continued collaboration, schools, farms, community groups, and the state are building partnerships that support local economies and bring healthy, local food to Vermont students.
Districts that purchased at least 15% of their food locally will receive a grant award ranging from $0.15 to $0.25 per lunch served, depending on their local purchasing percentage. In real dollars, grant awards typically range from $20,000 to $40,000 per SD/SU.
“Getting to 15% local has been a steady journey of building partnerships and reshaping our approach to school nutrition,” said EWSD Director of Child Nutrition Scott Fay. “The Local Foods Incentive gave us the boost we needed to turn those efforts into real impact for both students and producers.”