USDA funds will increase access to fresh local foods in Vermont

NOFA-VT celebrates USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement of $31.5 million granted through the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Program. The national nonprofit organization, Wholesome Wave, received a $3.77 million FINI grant, of which NOFA-VT is a sub-grantee. NOFA-VT will receive $227,661 through this award, which will be used to support increased access to fruits and vegetables for the food insecure of Vermont, while also benefitting small and mid-sized farmers in the region. 

“This program is a key way that we help to bridge the gap in access for limited-income Vermonters to fresh, local and organic foods while supporting the viability of Vermont farms,” says Enid Wonnacott, Executive Director of NOFA-VT.

Since 1971, NOFA-VT has been committed to increasing the acreage of certified organic land in Vermont while also increasing the access of local, organic food to all Vermonters. The grant issued to NOFA-VT will increase affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables for SNAP consumers across Vermont, while also supporting local agriculture. 

“Over the last five years we have seen a tremendous increase in SNAP consumers looking for an outlet to use their SNAP benefits to support local farmers. With this FINI award, these consumers can more easily support Vermont’s local food economy while enjoying a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This funding will make a tremendous impact in the lives of the over 87,000 Vermonters who currently receive SNAP benefits every month,” says Erin Buckwalter of NOFA-VT. 

NOFA-VT received this award as a sub-grantee on a larger $3.77 million grant, which the nonprofit organization, Wholesome Wave, obtained from the USDA to support their national network of nutrition incentive partners. NOFA-VT is one of 32 community-based organizations that will join Wholesome Wave in this Large-Scale FINI Project. Wholesome Wave’s network is a robust community of innovation and learning, linking incentive programs through uniform data collection and evaluation to support the expansion and adoption of incentives through policy. Wholesome Wave’s project is one of many that received support as part of the total $31.5 million granted by USDA in this cycle. 

With the award from Wholesome Wave, NOFA-VT will implement incentive programs at over 40 summer and winter farmers markets across the state. 

“We are thrilled to be working with such a diverse and competent group of incentive operators across the nation. This network brings together organizations ranging from a flourishing farmers market group to a large scale nonprofit, capitalizing on the grassroots expertise of community leaders, while also building regional and national impact that allows us to enact the kind of large-scale policy change we see in legislation like FINI,” says Wholesome Wave founder and CEO, Michel Nischan.

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The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont is a nonprofit association of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working to promote an economically viable and ecologically sound Vermont food system for the benefit of current and future generations.

Wholesome Wave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that strives to create a vibrant, just and sustainable food system. By making fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables affordable and available, we enable underserved consumers to make healthier food choices. Our innovative initiatives are improving health outcomes among low-income families, generating additional revenue for small and mid-sized farm businesses and bolstering local and regional economies. Our initiatives are implemented nationwide in collaboration with community-based partners at farmers markets, community health centers, hospital systems, food hubs, and retail outlets. Each year, our initiatives reach more than 50,000 underserved consumers and their families, as well as thousands of farmers. To learn more about Wholesome Wave visit www.wholesomewave.org or call 203-226-1112.