| Program Name | Sign-up Info | Eligibility | Notes/unique features | Funding Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3SquaresVT Vermont’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | At any of the 12 Dept. for Children and Families (DCF) District Offices, online, or by mail. | Income/household size | Application assistance offered by Community Action Agencies, Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), & other community organizations such as the Vermont Foodbank. Monthly benefit added to an EBT card that can be used to buy food at many stores and farmers’ markets much like using a bankcard or credit card. Search NOFA website for markets that accept EBT. | Year round – Federally Funded |
| CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) | Vermont Foodbank website or call: 1-800-214-4648 | Income-eligible Vermonters, ages 60+ | Monthly box of shelf-stable nutritious food delivered for pickup at locations around the state. | Year round – Federally Funded |
| WIC (Women, Infants and Children) | Statewide at 12 Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Local Health Offices and 50 smaller WIC clinic community sites. Sign up by texting VTWIC to 855-11, email WIC@vermont.gov or call 1-800-649-4357 or 802-863-7333 | Families with children under the age of 5, including pregnant women; Income/household size. *Adjunctively income eligible if participating in SNAP/Reach-Up or insured by Medicaid | Monthly food benefit, nutrition education/resources, breastfeeding education, counseling and support, breast pumps and referrals to other services. Nutrition risks assessed, and follow-up provided as needed. Offers individual counseling, online nutrition education and small groups to best meet families’ needs and interests. Families reapply annually. | Year round – Federally Funded |
| Child Nutrition Programs | School based (K-12) | Income/household size | Parents fill out forms at the beginning of each school year (but can apply at any time if their circumstances change); allows children can get free or reduced cost meals at school. Parents must reapply each year. | School Year – Federally Funded |
| Summer Meals Programs | School based (K-12), administered through various schools, towns, community agencies, summer camps. | Income/household | Sites may offer breakfast or lunch or both. A list of sites by county can be found on Hunger Free Vermont’s summer meals site. | Summer – Federally Funded |
| Emergency Food Shelves and Community meal sites | Statewide, no “sign-up” necessary. | Anyone who needs food | Locations are can be found on the Vermont Foodbank’s website or from Vermont 211. Many sites offer a variety of fresh and local produce. | Year round – Federally Funded |
| Community Meals | Toll free: 1-800-642-5119 | Age 60+ | Meals provided at community sites, including senior centers. Opportunities for socializing and participation in health promotion disease prevention programs. | Other – Grants and Donations |
| Mobile Food Pantries (VeggieVanGo) | School sites are open to families and/or caregivers that have students within the school districts; Hospital sites are open to those who have been referred by a health care provider or for community members experiencing food insecurity. | Anyone who needs food | School sites: Rutland Northwest Elementary; Bennington Molly Stark Elementary; Brattleboro High School; The St. Johnsbury School; Winooski Schools; Barre City Middle & Elementary. Hospital sites: Brattleboro Memorial; Central Vermont Medical Center; Grace Cottage; Gifford Medical; Mount Ascutney; Northeastern Vermont Regional; Southern Vermont Medical Center; Springfield Medical Care Systems; VA Medical Center | Other – Grants and Donations |
| Backpack Program | School based (K-12) | School staff identify students in need & send permission slips home to parents. | Currently at 38 Vermont schools. See Vermont Foodbank website for complete list. | Other – Grants and Donations |
| Meals on Wheels | 800-642-5119 | Age – 60+; must be homebound. | Meals delivered to the homes of eligible individuals and provided at community sites, including senior centers. Opportunities for socializing and participation in health promotion disease prevention programs. | Other – Grants and Donations |
| Farm to Family Coupons | Given out through WIC and Community Action Agencies | Families enrolled in WIC; other individuals including adults over age 60 or families with household incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty limit. | Can get $30 - $60 in coupons to use at farmers’ markets. Apply in late June; coupons are provided at the time of application and are good for the season. First come, first served basis until coupons are gone some offices run out quickly. | Seasonal – Federally Funded |
| Crop Cash | At participating farmers markets that accept EBT/Debit Cards. Ask about it at market info tables; and find a list here. | Receiving 3SquaresVT benefits | Double 3SquaresVT benefits spent at Farmers Markets – can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, fruit/vegetable/herb starts, and fruit/vegetable/herb seeds. There is a $10 Crop Cash limit, per market day. | Seasonal – Federally Funded |
| Health Care CSAs/”healthy food prescriptions” | Various providers around VT: Vermont Youth Conservation Corp (VYCC) Statewide Health Care Shares; Vermont Farmers Food Center Rutland Food Farmacy; Salvation Farms, Lamoille area Bounty Share. | Medical professionals at participating sites identify patient & employee families experiencing hunger or diet related illness and “prescribe” heathy food. | Subsidized CSAs, classes and workshops to help participants gain tools to maintain a healthy diet, shop on a budget, and cook and eat fresh food. Food is distributed to member-families through primary care clinics. | Limited – Grant Funded |
| NOFA's Farm Share program | Contact jennie@nofavt.org; 802-434-4122. Applications can be found here. | VT families at or below 185% of federal poverty limits. Participating families pay 50% of the CSA share cost, the farm and NOFA each pay 25%. | Families pick-up the shares each week, just like a normal CSA. The program runs in the summer and winter. Funds are usually tight, and they do run out of available shares, so it is best to apply as early as possible! | Limited – Grant Funded |
| Senior Farm Share | Contact jennie@nofavt.org; 802-434-4122 | Age 60+, living at a participating affordable housing site. Income 185% of federal poverty level | Connects older adults to farms through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share. Each participant is eligible for a fully paid $50 share, typically spread out over 5-10 weeks. | Limited – Grant Funded |
| University of Vermont Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) | Contact local EFNEP Nutrition Educators or call 1-877-337-5826 for info about services, eligibility & signing-up; free programs that best meets participants needs. | Limited income families. Those eligible for 3 Squares VT/SNAP, WIC, Head Start and/or free school meals, are likely eligible. | EFNEP empowers Vermonters to lead healthier lives through hands-on nutrition education—Eat. Shop. Live. Grow. Free programs serve income eligible parents, caregivers and expecting mothers, as well as children and teens. | Year round – Federally Funded |