Opening Doors to Serve Large Institutional Buyers
Vermont Business Magazine Food Connects Food Hub has achieved another milestone in its mission to strengthen regional food systems: earning cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) certification through a rigorous third-party audit. This achievement positions the Food Hub to begin serving large institutional customers including the University of Vermont (UVM) through Sodexo and marks a huge step forward for local food distribution in the region.
After years of strategic preparation and two years of intensive work, Food Connects scored an outstanding 99% on its cGMP audit, conducted by ASI Food Safety. This voluntary certification verifies that Food Connects’ facility, systems, staff training, and operations all meet stringent federal regulatory standards for food safety. While optional, these audits are a requirement for doing business with many large institutions, and now, Food Connects has opened the door to those opportunities.
"This was such an inspirational and hard-won achievement for our entire team,” said McKenna Hayes, Food Hub Director at Food Connects. “We've been working toward this for over five years, and to see our collective effort come together with such a strong result is deeply rewarding. It’s a big win not just for our Food Hub, but for the regional food system we support."
The audit coincided with Food Connects' expansion into 10,000 square feet of new warehouse space, including new coolers and freezers, an upgrade that came with its own logistical challenges. The team had to operationalize the space while simultaneously refining and formalizing compliance systems. “It felt like weaving a complex tapestry,” Hayes added. “Every thread—every system, record, SOP—had to come together seamlessly to create a whole that met the high standards of the cGMP audit.”
Preparation for the audit was supported by LOT49 Advisors, specifically food safety expert Jaclyn Bowen and consultant Joe Dickenson, who provided technical assistance throughout the process. Food Connects previously worked with LOT49 on its organic certification and once again relied on their expertise to ensure every detail aligned with regulatory definitions and standards.
With the certification in hand, Food Connects is now poised to begin deliveries to UVM/Sodexo in Fall 2025, with the goal of expanding to additional institutional customers that require third-party audits. These partnerships will bring more regional and local food into large-scale food service operations, significantly increasing the market access for Food Connects’ 134+ local farm and producer partners.
“This certification is a tool that allows us to scale our impact,” said Hayes. “We can now serve large institutions, helping them meet local purchasing goals while supporting regional farms. It verifies our cold chain integrity, food safety training, and safe handling practices while reassuring customers and vendors alike that we meet the highest standards.”
Beyond its own growth, Food Connects sees this achievement as a catalyst for the broader food hub community. The organization plans to expand compliance technical assistance to other hubs pursuing third-party audits and scaling up to serve institutional accounts. “We learned so much through this process,” Hayes shared. “It was hard work, but it was also fun and inspiring. I’m excited to support other food hubs on similar journeys. Anyone interested can reach out directly, this is what our Catalyst Technical Assistance program is all about.”
For Hayes, the achievement is also personal. “I’m from Burlington and went to UVM. I was there when Sodexo launched the VT First program. To now be part of bringing more local food to UVM and helping them meet their local purchasing goals is incredibly meaningful to me. I really love this work, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
To connect with McKenna Hayes or learn about Food Connects’ Technical Assistance program:: [email protected]
About Food Connects Food Connects is an entrepreneurial non-profit that delivers locally produced food as well as educational and consulting services aimed at transforming local food systems. The Food Hub aggregates and delivers from over 134 regional farms and food producers to over 366 buyers in southeast Vermont, southwest New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. Their educational services focus on Farm to School programming. Acknowledged as a statewide leader, the program supports over 30 schools to increase local food purchasing, school meal participation, and food, farm, and nutrition education. Together these core programs contribute to a vibrant local economy by increasing local food purchases by schools and improving students’ nutrition and academic performance. Food Connects is frequently hired to provide leadership and consulting services for efforts to support food systems initiatives throughout New England and act as a catalyst for change.
[BRATTLEBORO, VT, August 1, 2025] Food Connects
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