Polly Mikula
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) and the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) announced May 5 awards of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) in Vermont. The program targets two segments of the Vermont food system: Infrastructure and equipment.
For infrastructure, Rutland’s Vermont Farmers Food Center (VFFC) was awarded the largest grant among the six total food system organizations who collectively were granted $2.1 million for larger-scale projects that extend capacity and infrastructure for aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of locally produced food.
For equipment, 14 Vermont food system organizations are receiving just under $1 million in grants collectively for “special purpose” equipment that must be used for mid-supply chain activities, such as processing, storage, transportation, aggregation, distribution, or wholesaling of Vermont or regional food products, according to a press release from the state Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets.
The VFFC grant will be allocated toward a $1 million expansion of its food hub facility for local produce aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution in central and southwestern Vermont, according to the grant description. “This facility will also serve as a minimal processing hub, as part of the campus’ planned expansion efforts to increase food system resiliency in the region. The facility will benefit 790 local agricultural producers, provide 10 new jobs, and help reach four new markets,” the agency stated.
The storage and distribution facility had been part of the long-term plan for the organization’s growth, but in 2021 preliminary environmental testing found high levels of contaminants, which forced VFFC to close the building until extensive remediation was completed in 2024.
The Winter Farmers Market was held at the Vermont Farmers Food Center at 251 West St. until this past Saturday, May 10, when the market moved outdoors for the summer. It’ll be at Depot Park downtown through October. Renovations at the Farm Center began immediately.
“Construction has begun on the new commercial food processing and storage facility in Farmers Hall!” VFFC posted on Facebook May 10.
“Infrastructure is vital to the future of Vermont’s regional food system,” stated Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture in the press release. “The small organizations that are receiving these grants make the regional food system work for our producers and consumers and support the public’s access to local food. This was a recommendation of Governor Scott’s Future of Agriculture Commission, and we are thankful to have these investments from USDA.”
These RFSI grants target projects that expand processing capacities, modernize equipment, update IT systems, construct new facilities and install more efficient and climate-smart equipment. This program creates new opportunities for Vermont’s small and midsize producers to thrive, expand access to nutritious food options, and increase supply chain resiliency.
The Vermont RFSI Infrastructure grant awardees are:
Vermont Farmers Food Center – Rutland: $466,143
Barred Woods – Montgomery Center: $450,000
Food Connects – Brattleboro: $428,531
Boyden Valley Winery – Cambridge: $385,970
Myers Produce – West Glover: $257,280
Vermont Bean Crafters – Warren: $137,200
The Vermont RFSI Equipment-Only grant awardees are:
80 Goats Inc – Leicester: $57,197
Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN) – Middlebury: $99,831
All Souls Tortilleria – Burlington: $76,867
Butterfly Bakery of Vermont – Barre: $64,879
Center for an Agricultural Economy – Hardwick: $93,750
Eden Ice Cider Company, Inc. – Newport: $85,509
Mayo’s Maple Farm – Richford: $95,143
Moon and Stars – South Royalton: $31,200
Pure Gold Sugaring – Sutton: $51,300
Runamok Maple, LLC – Fairfax: $75,697
Sidehill Farm – Brattleboro: $79,449
Sterling Mountain Farm – Johnson: $80,810
vonTrapp Farmstead – Waitsfield: $66,785
Todd Parlo/Walden Heights Nursery and Orchard – Walden: $39,785
For more information, visit: agriculture.vermont.gov.
