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 Vermont Local Foods List
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A list of processed and unique food products attested by Vermont companies that meet the definition of "local-to-Vermont" for the
Vermont Local Foods Incentive Grant Program
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About this List:
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The accompanying list of products have been self-attested by Vermont companies to meet the definition of local-to-Vermont as required for the Vermont Local Foods Incentive Grant Program. This is not a comprehensive list of food products that count as "local-to-Vermont" but is intended as a reference for identifying commonly purchased PROCESSED and UNIQUE FOOD PRODUCTS that count towards an SFA's local foods percentage.
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Don't see a product you think should be on this list? Nominate a Vermont Local Food Here
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What Counts as "Local-to-Vermont"?
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For the purposes of the Local Foods Incentive Grant Program, SFAs must use the local-to-Vermont definition developed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets and the Vermont Attorney General's office (Act 129 of 2020). This means:
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1. RAW PRODUCTS must be exclusively grown or tapped in Vermont. Generally, source identifying raw products can be as easy as verfifying where the product was grown or raised. Raw products are not listed on this list.*
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2. PROCESSED FOODS such as dairy, meat, maple products, beverages, fruit, or vegetables that have been subject to processing, baked, or modified into a value-added food product. Processed foods are “local” and/or “Vermont” food if:
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1. The majority of ingredients (meaning more than 50 percent of all product ingredients by volume, excluding water) are raw agricultural products that are “local” to Vermont; and
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2. The product was either processed in Vermont or the food manufacturer is headquartered in Vermont (or both are true).
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3. UNIQUE FOODS are a segment of processed foods made from ingredients that are not regularly produced in Vermont or not available in sufficient quantities to meet production requirements. Unique foods are “local” and/or “Vermont” when at least two or all three criteria are met:
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1. The majority of ingredients (meaning more than 50 percent of all product ingredients by volume, excluding water) are raw agricultural products that are produced in Vermont.
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2. Substantial transformation of the ingredients in the product occurred in Vermont.
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3. The headquarters of the company that manufactures the product is in Vermont.
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More details on local definitions can be found in this document. If you need more assistance to confirm if a purchase counts as local, please reach out to the Vermont FEED staff below:
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Kayla Strom: kayla@nofavt.org, 802-434-7176
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Common Mistakes
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There are some products that schools commonly purchase from Vermont based companies that do not meet the definition. Some common examples are:
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-Cabot Butter (processed outside of Vermont) See the dairy section of this list for other Cabot products that do count.
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-King Arthur Flour (Wheat is not sourced from or milled in Vermont)
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Tips for Purchasing Local
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1. BUY DIRECT
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Buying direct from a producer has many benefits - not only is the farmer getting the full value of their products directly, you can also develop a personal relationship with them. Larger programs may wish to set up contracts with producers well in advance of the growing season, establishing a specific volume of product they intend to buy at a specific price. Others may purchase occasionally based on what is affordable and available. When you buy direct from a Vermont farm or producer, you can more easily verify if the products you purchase meet the Vermont local definiton.
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2. PURCHASE FROM YOUR LOCAL FOOD HUBS
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Food Hubs offer one-stop shopping (and billing) for dozens of local producers and food businesses. They can deliver right to you, and and their products are source-identified (meaning you’ll know which products come from which farms). Likely everything on the invoice will count towards the LFI grant. Exceptions for origin of farm or product are listed.
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Food Connects: Based in Brattleboro, VT. Services much of Southern Vermont.
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Green Mountain Farm Direct: A program of Green Mountain Farm to School, based in Newport, VT. Services North & Northeast Vermont.
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ACORN Online Market: This project began in 2020 during the pandemic and anticipate expanding operations in the coming years. Based in Addison County, VT. Services Addison and parts of Rutland County.
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3. FIND LOCAL PRODUCTS WITH YOUR BROADLINE DISTRIBUTOR
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Some products available through Performance Food Group/Reinhart Food Service and other broadline distributors count as Vermont Local Foods. Search the list to the right for items you purchase through your broadline distributor that count towards the Vermont Local Foods Incentive Grant.
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Don't see a product you think should be on this list? Nominate a Vermont Local Food Here.
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