Co-ops to Kids: Food Service, Vermont
The Vermont Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Programs
Administers the federal programs that support nutritious meals and snacks in schools, daycare settings, and summer program sites. This site provides information, support, and tools to administer the programs and valuable information on nutrition issues that affect our children.
Contact: Jo Busha, State Director, phone (802) 828-5154
Vermont Food Commodities
Contact: Holly Peake, Donated Food Section, DCF – Child Development Division, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05671, phone (802) 241-2582
Reinventing the Meal – A Vermont-based non-profit, provides services on both sides of the river. The organization works creatively with schools and school lunch providers to enhance local food choices and to improve nutrition education and food service programs that provide food options that are low in fat, calories, and added sugars. We help establish graphic displays and signage within the school to encourage improved dietary habits among students, faculty, and families. Contact: 802 674-2900 ×25 or send an email
School Nutrition Association – VT provides members with a variety of resources for nutrition, marketing, peer networking, and regulatory information, as well as opportunities for, and discounts on, training, continuing education, certification, workshops and conferences.
Contact: Chapter president Lydia King (H) 802-878-3507.
Food Safety and Sanitation Certification Program – A ten-hour food safety and sanitation course targeted to food managers and workers. Topics covered include foodborne illness, time and temperature abuse, cross contamination, sanitation, and personal hygiene. Contact: Dale Steen, phone (800) 545-8920
The Abbey Group based in Sheldon, Vermont, provides food service management services to schools and institutional cafeterias, catering services, campgrounds, and restaurant management. Licensed to provide these services in Vermont and New Hampshire. The Abbey Group supports Vermont products.
Scott Choiniere
Vice President of Operations
6212 VT Route 105
Enosburg Falls, VT 05450
Phone: 802-933-4747
Toll free: 800-696-4748
www.abbeygroup.net/foodserve.htm
Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED) is a community-based approach to school food system change in a rural state through the collaboration of three Vermont non-profits: Food Works, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, and Shelburne Farms.
VT FEED works with schools and communities to raise awareness about healthy food, the role of Vermont farms and farmers, and good nutrition. They act as a catalyst for rebuilding healthy local food systems, and to cultivate links between the classrooms, cafeterias, local farms, and communities.
Contact:
Kim Norris
Shelburne Farms
1611 Harbor Rd.
Shelburne, VT 05482
v: 802-985-0322
Crossroad Farm
Post Mills, Vermont
Of all the farms that supply the Co-op, Tim and Janet Taylor of Post Mills, Vermont, sell the widest range of products, with lettuce serving as their major crop. They provide the Co-op with eight different varieties of lettuce, which are available seven days a week during the season. They also supply salad mix, cucumbers, cauliflower, cabbage, peas, green peppers, red potatoes, summer squash, and zucchini squash. In addition, Janet provides the Co-op Floral Department with annual flowers and hanging baskets.
Meet Ed Howes
He’s the guy who always has an out-of-the-box idea. He’s the guy who always wants to do something special to celebrate National Rice Month. And he’s the guy who likes to dress up to make kids and customers smile, whether it’s for Halloween or for a food demonstration and tasting event or even for no reason at all. Ed Howes is the Co-op’s Natural and Specialty Foods Merchandiser. He’s been here a long time, serves on the Co-op Board of Directors, and works very hard to help bring in many of the unique and delicious foods that have made us famous over the years. October is a special month for Ed, not only because it gives him the opportunity to dress up again, but also because it’s the month we honor the Fair-Trade movement—something near and dear to his heart. Fair Trade shortens the path from farm to table, reducing the amount of high-priced middlemen in-between and providing a living wage for the farmer. Want to learn more?
