Local partners across Vermont, including schools and healthcare organizations, host fresh produce distribution events in partnership with Vermont Foodbank. Each month, a wonderful group of volunteers helps us share food with thousands of families and individuals.
I attended my first fresh produce distribution with Vermont Foodbank on a cloudy, humid Friday morning in July.
As a new staff member, I showed up unsure of what to expect, but excited to help out. As I arrived, I watched the staff leading the setup – Allison and Carl – already in a flow as they put up tents in anticipation of rain and moved pallets of food into their places. The parking lot was already full of neighbors in cars waiting for the event to start.
“How’s your handwriting?” asked Allison when I walked over, before handing me the whiteboard to write down today’s bounty: apples, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, and a special guest—Cabot bacon cheddar.
There was a flurry of activity as more staff and volunteers arrived and finished preparing the distribution area—opening boxes, getting the first bags ready to go. Then, final roles delegated, a brief lull in action and… time to begin.
From my post at one of the stop signs, I greeted drivers and waved them forward so that volunteers could load up their trunks and send them off with bags of fruits and veggies. I was impressed to watch one volunteer take on potato duty, loading big bags of spuds into trunks and back seats repeatedly for the next hour and a half.
The morning’s hot topic of discussion: would it rain before the distribution ended? Would we be spared? I joined drivers in squinting up at the sky as groceries were packed into their vehicles, trying to read the clouds. “I think we might be ok,” I said. Some nodded in agreement; others expressed skepticism.
There were many expressions of gratitude, smiles, warm greetings, and wishes for a great weekend exchanged. Two people informed me that this was their first time coming to a distribution event. Two others told me they had come to pick up food for neighbors who couldn’t make it there themselves—a great example of community care in action.
Over time, the stream of cars slowed to a trickle, then just a few neighbors were left, and soon it was time to start packing up. It hadn’t rained, and it had been a bright morning after all, filled with connection, community, and sharing—of time, energy, laughter, and food.
Learn more about programs and resources like this one that can help you get the foods you want and need by visiting the Access Food page on our website. You can also learn how to get involved in helping by visiting our Volunteer page.
Starting March 1st, some Vermont neighbors could lose 3SquaresVT food benefits unless they report information to VT-Economic Services Division (VT-ESD) about work, volunteer hours, or certain life situations that excuse them from work requirements. Contact our team for free, one-on-one assistance.
Together with community advocates and partners, we are helping legislators in the State House understand why 3SquaresVT and food security programs are important to achieve food access and security in Vermont.
I’m happy to share that our winter edition of Kernels is now available. Also known as our Gratitude Edition, this issue focuses on community impact in 2025 and includes our annual financial report.
