The Farm to Institution Market Development Grant (formerly Local Food Market Development Grant) is intended to support market development opportunities for local food producers, with a focus on Vermont institutional markets.
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets
State: Vermont
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Funding is provided to help improve local producer access to, and engagement with, schools, hospitals, colleges, correctional facilities, and other local institutions.
Eligible proposals will increase institutional market opportunity for at least one Vermont farm business and increase the amount of local food purchased and served in Vermont institutions. Competitive proposals will focus on collaboration, developing new sales relationships or deepening existing sales relationships, and values-based procurement for institutions serving meals to Vermont residents. Competitive proposals will demonstrate high likelihood of long-term, sustained partnership between Vermont farms and Vermont institutions.
Examples of institutional markets:
- Colleges and universities
- Schools
- Early childhood education facilities
- Correctional facilities
- Nursing homes
- Hospitals and healthcare providers.
Funding Information
A total of $30,000 is available through this competitive funding opportunity. The minimum award for this grant program is $10,000 and the maximum award is $30,000.
Grant Period
Each successful grantee will have two years from the signing of their grant agreement to expend their grant funds and submit all required deliverables.
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible to apply for this competitive grant:
- Vermont farm or food businesses
- Vermont producer groups or associations
- Supply chain facilitators (non-profits, economic development authorities, food hubs, etc.).
For more information, visit VAAFM.
