Walmart Foundation announced their support of the Vermont Foodbank’s VT Fresh Program today in a gift of $25,000.

VT Fresh is a nutrition education program that aims to increase access and improve availability of fruits and vegetables at community food shelves. The program model combines research and evidence based approaches to help change the food environment in community food shelves by increasing the prominence, convenience and availability of fruits and vegetables.

“We are grateful to Walmart for their loyal support of VT Fresh and the work of fighting hunger in Vermont,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO.  “We know that our clients rely on us to provide the healthiest foods possible and VT Fresh is helping us do this in an effective and efficient way.”

In 2014, the program was developed and piloted in partnership with 11 food shelves. Nearly 1000 people participated in 120 cooking demos across the state. And 70% of participants indicated the intention to change their diet by stating that they were “more likely to eat” a specific fruit or vegetable again after participating in VT Fresh.

To learn more about VT Fresh, click here.

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About the Vermont Foodbank

Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, serving Vermont through a network of food shelves, meal sites, shelters, senior centers and youth programs. In FY2014, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 9 million pounds of food to 153,100 Vermonters.  The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. Charity Navigator awarded the Vermont Foodbank four out of a possible four stars. Learn more at www.charitynavigator.org.