Applications are now being accepted for the Local Food Market Development (LFMD) grant program. Designed to increase access to institutional and wholesale markets, the LFMD grant program helps Vermont farms and food producers address supply chain challenges through infrastructure improvements, technology enhancements and technical assistance support. Farm and food businesses, producer associations and other supply chain facilitators are all eligible to apply to this grant. Awards between $2,000 and $15,000 are available with a required 25% cash or in-kind match.

Application Deadline: May 10

The 2022 Vermont Organics Recycling Summit, held in conjunction with International Compost Awareness Week, will include a variety of virtual events including webinars and facilitated online discussion groups. This year, Vermot Organics Recycling Summit will be celebrating the value of compost and organics recycling, and the many ways it supports regenerative agriculture, the health of the environment, the people and the economy. Session topics include on-farm composting, infrastructure, organics diversion, different technologies, inspiring the next generation, and more! All virtual events are free, but require registration.

Summit: May 2 - 6

Farmers markets are an important place for communities to build and congregate through food. But do all community members feel welcomed and a sense of belonging? Developed by a group of Black food system leaders and experts, the Anti-Racist Farmers Market Toolkit offers ways for managers to reflect on the concepts of anti-racism within their farmers market organizations and to make necessary adjustments to the structure, design, and operations of the market itself. The toolkit development has been supported by the Farmers Market Coalition, and is made for farmers market operators everywhere who are ready to start working towards running an anti-racist farmers market.