Good You’re a Reminder of the in the World
In this issue of Kernels, you’ll read highlights of how your Foodbank is one key part of a complex support ecosystem including: our network of food distribution partners; advocates who raise our collective voice; volunteers, food, and fund donors like you; and, of course, the neighbors seeking food security who are at the center of all we do.
I have deep gratitude for what we’ve accomplished together this year, and great hope for continued progress, with your support. All these helping hands remind me, every day, of the good in our world. Vermont Foodbank continues to play our role, distributing 14.2 million pounds of food last year and reaching an estimated 70,000 Vermont neighbors every month.
We’ve also restructured programs to enhance our resiliency and that of our partners, and to be responsive to the current needs of
neighbors across Vermont. We’ve invested in food distribution and support for our network, phased out Community Kitchen Academy and VT Fresh programs, and carefully handed off Gleaning to partners that will continue that work. I’m grateful for the joy those efforts brought to many people over the years, and to all the participants and volunteers at the heart of those programs.
It is increasingly difficult to forecast what is in store. Yet looking back, I can see how the whole community support ecosystem responds, staying upright in the face of any headwinds. We make a plan and move forward together, with integrity. Thank you for standing with us.
John Sayles CEO
THANKS TO THE NETWORK
In the past year, you helped connect local communities with fresh food and pantry staples through the support of 334 community partners and food access sites across Vermont.
And when it comes to sharing nourishing resources with neighbors facing hunger, you and Vermont Foodbank’s network of partner food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, schools, and hospitals are providing more than the ingredients—you’re providing food with dignity.
Last year, $1.3 million was given out through 369 grants to support network partners in building capacity, sustainability, and resilience, and centering neighbors’ voices and experiences in daily operations.
Grants supported the purchase of local food. They also supported projects to improve refrigeration and freezer capacity; equipment and supplies like shelving, cooking appliances, wheelchair access, and a loading dock; and office equipment.
The network is listening to community members to learn more about the food resources they want and need—from farm shares and home delivery to funds to purchase protein. And the Foodbank is investing in the network to help put these ideas into action—with support from you.
Together, we’re creating welcoming, efficient, and dignified spaces and programs that are responsive to what local communities need.
“Our relationship with the Foodbank is extremely strong. We’ve been dealing with the Foodbank for six years, since I started this nonprofit, and without the Foodbank we certainly would not be in existence. Because 95% of the food we get either comes from grants we get through the Foodbank or our partnership…. As far as gratitude goes, there’s plenty—for all the people who donate food to the Foodbank for us to get, that’s certainly well needed.”
~ Bob, Shares Corporation St. Johnsbury, VT
“It’s rewarding to work for the Foodbank knowing I am helping them and to be a part of the team helping those in need. I think of my co-workers as family and always look forward to spending time with them. Helping the Foodbank provide for, care for, those in need gives me a purpose in life.”
~ Mary, Volunteer Barre, VT
THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY
This past year, 37 people who have experience of food insecurity participated in 12 Foodbank-hosted community conversations to help co-create local solutions to food access. These consultants were compensated for their expertise. Some of the developed recommendations were:
• to work with regional farmers markets to encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, also known as 3SquaresVT) use;
• to collaborate with local transportation services and volunteers to provide food shelf rides for Franklin and Grand Isle County residents; and
• to host direct food distributions at Rutland County Pride.
Thanks to the help of 16,300 food, fund, and product donors (like you!), nourishing food and services were available statewide when neighbors needed them.
This reliable access was made possible with the help of generous volunteers who dedicated nearly 8,500 hours to get nourishing food to neighbors—sorting and packing 468,000 pounds of food rescued from grocery stores, harvesting 37,300 pounds of excess fruits and veggies from 37 Vermont farms, filling 20,600 food boxes for older adults, and providing fresh produce to people across the state at 262 distribution events. That’s equivalent to the work of four full-time staff members.
THANKS TO THE ADVOCATES
Last year, more than 4,500 people across the state engaged in advocacy efforts to create a more food-secure Vermont with the Foodbank and our partners.
Neighbors, farmers, food access agencies, and legislators lifted their voices to champion state and federal policies that support Vermont communities—encompassing food, agriculture, and disaster response. Together, we shared the importance of food programs that help keep shelves stocked and neighbors fed.
And it made a real difference! In 2025, collaborative advocacy efforts resulted in:
• The State prioritizing local food purchases for distribution through Vermont Foodbank, in a new and different way. Since 2018, Vermonters Feeding Vermonters (VFV) has been a Foodbank program in which high-quality, local food is purchased directly from Vermont farms to share with people facing hunger. With the passage of Act 34, VFV has become a partnership with Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets— helping ensure support for a more sustainable agricultural economy while feeding neighbors.
• Financial support from the State for a variety of food security initiatives, including $1 million for food to support partner agencies in every Vermont county. See the full list of initiatives at vermontfoodsecurity.org.
• Support from Vermont’s federal delegation in DC for Farm Bill food programs, such as monthly food benefits for households to purchase groceries, US-produced food to help stock food banks, and monthly food boxes for older adults.
“Vermonters Feeding Vermonters has a proven track record. This program keeps our dollars in state, while reducing barriers for Vermonters’ access to fresh, local foods. Everyone deserves access to nutritious Vermontgrown food. We are lucky to have so many remarkable food producers in Vermont. It’s time to connect the dots.”
~ Esme, VT State Representative White River Junction, VT
“I can’t believe I just had my four-year anniversary here at the Foodbank. It’s been exhilarating to leave the warehouse with a full truck of food and return empty—knowing that whatever town I served that day is helping all the people in that community. I look forward to continuing to serve people facing hunger for years to come.”
~ Dave, Foodbanker Rutland, VT
THANKS TO YOU FROM THE FOODBANK
In 2025, the Foodbank wrapped up large projects, learned from our communities, and continued the work of ensuring everyone in Vermont has equitable and dignified access to the food they want and need.
We moved into our renovated Rutland distribution center! A new CO2 cooler and commercial freezer increased the variety of foods available to communities in the central part of the state, while reducing our environmental footprint and realizing $34,000 annually in energy savings. Already, the Rutland warehouse has distributed 42% more food than the previous year.
We also completed a multi-year innovation lab, which tested ideas beyond the traditional food in/food out food banking model. There were tremendous learnings from this work. These projects jointly shifted attention toward addressing the systems that create barriers to food security.
As we work toward long-term solutions to hunger in Vermont, we continue making sure that everyone has the food they need today. Last year, you supported:
• Distribution of 7.1 million pounds of fresh food including through 760 fresh produce events.
• Making Vermont-grown food available to neighbors facing hunger, and keeping dollars in the local economy, with $2.2 million in purchases from 224 local farms.
• More than 2,600 connections between neighbors and our 3SquaresVT (SNAP) team to assist with applications, questions, and other resources.
2025 Annual Report
The mission of Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry.
2025 Board of Directors
Melissa Roberge
Liz Ruffa
Elizabeth Schumacher
Showing Up for Each Other When Times Are Tough
“No single person can end hunger. When communities band together, that’s where the true power lies and change can be made.”
Since 2020, a cascade of crises has increased food insecurity in Vermont and across the nation. The COVID-19 effects of inflation, as well as multiple flooding events, have led to ongoing financial challenges for households. Skyrocketing costs for food, housing, and healthcare are further stressing budgets. And now, a stream of harmful federal policy and funding changes will make it even harder for people to meet their basic needs.
Uncertainty related to federal changes is already resulting in more people seeking food help in Vermont—following two years of continuously increasing food insecurity, according to USDA data.
At the same time, Vermont neighbors like you have continued to show up for one another, donating, volunteering, and advocating to help create stability for us all. With this support, Vermont Foodbank is committed to:
• maintaining an elevated level of food distribution, including fresh foods;
• investing in our network of partner food access agencies;
• focusing resources in response to input from neighbors experiencing hunger; and
• advocating for policies to improve food security.
Hunger is a policy choice. Vermont Foodbank and our statewide network are doing everything we can to help, but the need in our communities is greater than the resources available. Lawmakers at the state and national levels must make policy choices—about wages, food assistance, healthcare, and housing—that create food security for everyone.
Let’s keep showing up for each other with whatever resources we can.
Please consider becoming a monthly donor today to provide consistent support so we can work toward ending hunger for good while making sure everyone has enough to eat right now: vtfoodbank.org/sustainer.
If you or someone you know could use help accessing food, please be in touch. Our contact information is below, and our website is available in many languages spoken in Vermont.
~ Casey, Foodbanker Rutland, VT