The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has opened applications for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Grant. This grant aims to increase access to local food for young children by providing funds for non-profit organizations and licensed or registered early childhood education providers in Vermont to purchase CSA shares from local farms.
A total of $200,000 is available for this grant round, with no minimum or maximum award amount. The application period is open until November 25, 2025. Decisions will be announced in February 2026, and funded projects are expected to begin in March or April of 2026.
To broaden the reach of the program, VAAFM recommends that early childhood education providers consider collaborating on group applications. Non-profits or providers may submit applications for groups, but each participating early childhood program must provide a letter of commitment.
An optional webinar for interested applicants is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Further details about eligibility, the webinar, and the grant process are available on the FY26 LFSCC CSA Grant webpage.
According to VAAFM, “The Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) CSA Grant is made possible by a one-time State of Vermont legislative appropriation as a result of the termination of the USDA LFSCC funding in March 2025. This LFSCC CSA grant will provide local food to early childhood programs in Vermont through CSA shares. A separate LFSCC opportunity will be announced this winter for providing local food to K-12 schools through non-profit food hubs. For more information about upcoming grant opportunities, visit the Farm to Institution webpage.”
The Farm to Institution Program began after passage of the Rozo Mclaughlin Farm-to-School Program Act in 2006 and receives annual funding from the Vermont State Legislature. Since 2007, VAAFM has distributed 339 farm to school grants totaling $2.4 million in state funds to 158 schools and school districts as well as 160 early childhood education programs.
For questions about the program or application process, contact Gina Clithero, VAAFM Farm to Institution Program Manager.
