LFSCC Food Hub Grant

The LFSCC Food Hub Grant is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM). This grant is part of the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Program and was established to support the distribution of local food to K–12 students throughout Vermont. Funded by a one-time appropriation from the Vermont State Legislature for Fiscal Year 2026, the grant enables non-profit food hubs to act as intermediary partners, connecting regional School Food Authorities (SFAs) with Vermont-based food producers to ensure that local, nutritious food reaches school meals programs statewide. Eligible applicants for this program include non-profit food hub organizations that are headquartered in Vermont and have the capacity to deliver food to at least one site within each of the SFAs they intend to serve. Each SFA has been allocated a specific grant amount based on student enrollment data from the Vermont Agency of Education, and food hubs apply to serve a selection of these SFAs. Grant funds will be used by SFAs to purchase local food from the food hubs, and these transactions are facilitated through credit systems managed by the food hubs. The food hubs are reimbursed for local food purchases and are allowed to allocate up to 15% of the total request for indirect administrative costs. The grant supports a two-year project period, anticipated to begin in June 2026 and conclude in June 2028. Food hubs must assist SFAs in navigating procurement procedures, clarifying local food eligibility (as defined by Act 129 of 2020), processing and fulfilling orders, and tracking expenditures. Importantly, while the food hubs manage credit accounts and order fulfillment, the SFAs retain autonomy over food selection from approved catalog items. Pre-award costs may also be eligible if approved in advance by the program manager. Applications for the LFSCC Food Hub Grant must be submitted through WebGrants, the Vermont state grant management platform. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an optional applicant webinar scheduled for January 28, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Applications open on January 23, 2026, and are due by February 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applicants must include a letter of commitment from at least one SFA and one Vermont food producer, with both parties confirming their capacity to collaborate and comply with the requirements of the program. Review of applications will be conducted by a panel from multiple Vermont agencies and stakeholders within the farm-to-school community. Projects will be evaluated based on the quality of the work plan, food hub logistics and service capacity, collaboration and partnerships, and budget clarity and compliance. Award notifications are expected by April 2026. Funding will be disbursed in at least two installments, with an initial 40% paid up front and the remaining 60% available on a reimbursement basis after expenses are documented. This grant does not require matching funds and only allows costs directly related to the local food purchases defined under Vermont law. Infrastructure, personnel, travel, and equipment expenses are not eligible. The funding model emphasizes expanding access to local food, increasing sales for Vermont food producers, and reducing barriers for schools to serve fresh, local meals. This effort aligns with broader goals of supporting Vermont’s agricultural economy and improving student nutrition outcomes.