The Vermont Foodbank offers resources and workshops to assist Network Partners (NPs) in serving the needs of their communities. Registration is required for all workshops.

For classes that are offered as a webinar or online, you must have access to a phone line and a high speed (DSL or faster) internet connection.

The Vermont Foodbank strives to offer those courses and trainings that are pertinent to the work of our Network Partners. If your organization has a topic of interest that would build your capacity or strengthen your ability to serve your customers, and if you have at least 5 staff, volunteers, board members, or community members who would participate, please contact Amy Davidson at adavidson@vtfoodbank.org to see if the Foodbank could create a workshop or training just right for you.

This workshop is offered on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. via Zoom.

New network partner agencies are required to attend a Foodbank Orientation. The orientations are also open to new staff, volunteers or board members of existing network partner agencies; folks just needing a refresher are most welcome to attend. The online ordering training covers the basics of placing your Foodbank orders and answers questions on allocated orders, scheduler, submitting cart, and editing orders. You may attend just the online ordering portion if you like. Orientation starts at 9:30 a.m., online ordering at 11:00 a.m.

To operate a successful food shelf/pantry or meal site, food safety must be a top priority. Vermont Foodbank Network Partners are required to maintain food safety training certification tailored to the type of programs and services offered. When trained representatives leave the organization, or the certification expires, food safety training must be renewed or completed by new staff or volunteer leaders as soon as possible.

Food Pantry Partners

At least one representative from each network partner agency must complete the ServSafe Food Handler Guide for Food Banking, or equivalent training, and pass the exam associated with the course. It is recommended that the staff members or volunteers that hold the primary responsibility of managing the pantry receive the training; the Foodbank will cover the cost of training for two such people using a single course access code. When trained representative leaves the organization, or the certification expires, food safety training must be renewed or completed by new staff or volunteer leaders as soon as possible. Additional course access can be purchased through the Foodbank at a cost of $10 per person. The ServSafe Food Handler Guide for Food Banking certification is valid for 5 years.

ServSafe Food Handler Guide for Foodbanking is an online self-led training that covers the basics of food shelf food safety. This training satisfies the food safety requirement for network partner agencies that distribute food, but do not prepare, cook and serve food. If you also operate a meal site, please see the Meal Site Partners training below.

Meal Site Partners

At least one representative from each Network Partner agency that prepares and serves meals is required to complete the ServSafe Food Handler, or equivalent training, and pass the exam associated with the program. The staff member or volunteer that holds the primary responsibility of managing food preparations and service should receive the training. The ServSafe Food Handler certificate is valid for 3 years. When trained representative leaves the organization, or the certification expires, food safety training The Foodbank will cover the cost of training for one key staff or volunteer of Network Partner meal site programs annually. Additional course access can be purchased through the Foodbank at a cost of $10 per person.

ServSafe Food Handler is an online self-led training that covers the fundamentals of safe food storage, meal preparation and service. This training satisfies the food safety requirement for meal sites and sites that operate a pantry and prepare meals.

If you have any questions, please contact Caleb Sugarman at (802) 477-4106.