Rooted in the vision of a resilient regional food system, these winning projects connect farms to schools through local food hubs and statewide collaboratives, pilot innovative value-added products that extend the season, and expand distribution routes to reach more rural communities.
Prize winners are increasing access to culturally responsive halal meals created with local ingredients in Maine and building a statewide market for school-ready bread products baked with local grains in Vermont. Food hubs are working on compliance to gain access to institutional sales channels and processors are lowering costs for school staples by blending local ingredients with commodities. Congratulations to all of June’s Prize Winners!
Winning Projects:
Food Connects: Growing the Institutional Supply Chain and Driving Demand for Local Food in K-12 and Higher Education
Fresh Flavor Café: Expanding Global Taste with Local Foods
Growing Collaborative Menu and Crop Planning with Maine School Nutrition Directors and Farmers
Growing Farm-to-School’s Impact in Rural Vermont: Addressing Procurement, Supply Chains, and Training
Increasing Local Food Procurement by Addison County Central School District
Intervale Food Hub – Infrastructure Capacity to Grow Local Institutional Markets
Leveraging Commodity Ingredients and Local Produce to Improve School Meals
Local Food Works for Farmers and Educational Institutions Year-Round
Maine Halal Food Initiative
Maine Marinara Collaborative – New Product Innovation for Sustainability
On the Rise: VT Bread for VT Schools Fresh Flavor Café: Expanding Global Taste with Local Foods
Unlocking Institutional Markets: Growing Farmer Capacity, Compliance, and K–12 Partnerships at New Entry Food Hub
