Learn About Your Foodbank

Q: How is Vermont Foodbank connected to Feeding America?

The Foodbank is a member of Feeding America , the nation’s network of food banks. Feeding America is comprised of 200+ food banks across the United States and in Puerto Rico, and is the largest charitable hunger organization in the country.

Q: What is the difference between a food bank and a food shelf or pantry?

We are the only food bank in Vermont . As a statewide organization, we use our three warehouse distribution centers to provide food to local partners in all 14 counties in Vermont. These local partners include food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, senior centers, after-school programs, and many more local, independently operated organizations who share the vision and goal that everyone in Vermont has the food they need and want. Vermont Foodbank secures large quantities of food from grocery stores, food manufacturers, farms, businesses, restaurants, individuals, and Feeding America , the national network of food banks. After the product is examined and sorted, it is distributed statewide to our network partners . A food shelf is a local non-profit that provides food directly to individuals in need . A food shelf may obtain food from the Vermont Foodbank, from individual donors, and through wholesale and/or retail purchase. Visit our Find a Food Shelf page to see the Vermont Foodbank network partners in your community.

Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization and only food bank, providing nourishing food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, after-school programs, schools, and hospitals.

Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, provides more than 14 million pounds of food annually to people throughout Vermont.

Photo of the Vermont Foodbank's Barre Distribution Center.

How Do We Do Our Work?

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry.

Our Strategic Plan, Vision, Commitments & Board of Trustees

Our Vision for Vermont

Everyone in Vermont has equitable access to enough nourishing food to thrive.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Since 2018, Vermont Foodbank has been on a journey to become a more inclusive and diverse organization that centers equity in everything we do.

Learn More

Board of Trustees

Vermont Foodbank’s Board of Trustees members include people with living experience of hunger and poverty and community leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise that guides the organization.

Learn More

Where Does the Food Come From?

The food we share is donated or purchased. Sources include Vermont farms, grocery stores and food producers; nationwide food producers; and federal agencies. Learn more about hunger in Vermont and the ways you can get involved.

Learn more about how the Foodbank works in this ten part series.

What's the difference between a food bank and a food shelf or pantry?

Vermont Foodbank is the only food bank in Vermont. As a statewide organization, we use our three warehouse distribution centers to provide food to local partners in all 14 counties in Vermont. These local partners include food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, senior centers, after-school programs, and many more independently operated organizations that share the vision and goal that everyone in Vermont has the food they need and want.

Vermont Foodbank secures large quantities of food from grocery stores, food manufacturers, farms, businesses, restaurants, individuals, and Feeding America, the national network of food banks. After the product is examined and sorted, it is distributed statewide to our network partners.

A food shelf is a local non-profit that provides food directly to individuals in need. A food shelf may obtain food from Vermont Foodbank, from individual donors, and through wholesale and/or retail purchase. Visit our Find a Food Shelf page to see the Vermont Foodbank network partners in your community.

The Foodbank Gets Food From Farms?

Yes! Vermont farmers and food producers play a critical role in providing fresh, local food to the people of Vermont and the state’s agricultural economy. Our goal at the Foodbank is to ensure that all people in Vermont get to share in the bounty while improving the resilience of Vermont’s food system! That’s where Vermonters Feeding Vermonters comes in—a program in which high-quality, local food, is purchased directly from Vermont farmers and producers to share with people facing hunger in Vermont.

How Does it Work?

The Foodbank and farmers agree upon a quantity, price, and delivery schedule prior to the growing season. During the harvest season, farmers provide regular deliveries to one of our three branches. The Foodbank then distributes the food to people facing hunger through our network of more than 300 community partners and programs like VeggieVanGo, providing fresh food distributions in local communities throughout the state.

The Vermont Foodbank also offers funds to participating partner food shelves and meals sites to purchase directly from their local farmers to serve people in their communities.

Interested in Becoming a Partner?

Thanks for your interest in Vermonters Feeding Vermonters! Since 2018, the Vermont Foodbank and our program partners have purchased over $9.5 million worth of produce, dairy, eggs and meat from over 300 farms across the state. If you are interested in the program, please contact info@vtfoodbank.org.

Our Locations

Barre

33 Parker Road
Barre, Vermont 05641
802-476-3341

Brattleboro

22 Browne Court Unit #108
Brattleboro, Vermont 05301
802-246-0993

Rutland

92 Park Street
Rutland, Vermont 05701
802-747-7984

More Information About the Foodbank

In 2022, its 36th year of gathering and providing food resources to a statewide network of partners, the team at Vermont Foodbank identified a need to explore and test new ideas and solutions.

Financial Information

Privacy Policy

Food Security Innovation Lab

Contact Us

More Information About the Foodbank

In 2022, its 36th year of gathering and providing food resources to a statewide network of partners, the team at Vermont Foodbank identified a need to explore and test new ideas and solutions.

Financial Information

Privacy Policy

Food Security Innovation Lab

Contact Us

Have more questions about the Foodbank or our programs? Read our FAQ!

Read the FAQ

There are many ways you can help neighbors facing hunger in Vermont. Donations are very important to the ongoing success of the Foodbank; please consider donating or becoming a sustaining monthly donor. In addition, please visit our Get Involved page to learn about many more ways you can help!

The Foodbank does not distribute food directly to individuals, but to our Network Partners. If you know someone in need, they should first visit their local food shelf or meal site. You can also direct them to our Access Food page for information about programs and assistance that we also provide.

The Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s network of food banks. Feeding America is comprised of 200+ food banks across the United States and in Puerto Rico, and is the largest charitable hunger organization in the country.

The Foodbank headquarters is located in the Wilson Industrial Park at 33 Parker Road in Barre. We also have locations in Brattleboro and Rutland.

The Foodbank opened its doors in 1986.

An agency must be a member of the Vermont Foodbank network to acquire food from us. Once a member, or Network Partner, as we call them, the agency can access free and cooperatively purchased food to distribute in their communities. Network Partners can pick up their order at one of the Foodbank’s warehouses in Barre, Brattleboro or Rutland or have it delivered to them on a regular schedule. To learn how to become a network partner please visit our Become a Network Partner page.

We work with over 200 network partners throughout Vermont who receive food from the Foodbank. Visit our Find a Food Shelf page to find a network partner in your community.

The number of people who access food through our services varies from year to year based on many factors. To learn more about the current state of hunger in Vermont please visit our Learn About Hunger page.

There are hundreds of thousands of our Vermont neighbors – including children, seniors and working families – who are unable to put enough food on the table. Visits to their local food shelves can help with this shortfall, and that’s where the Foodbank comes in. We acquire and distribute food to over 200 network partners around the state – food shelves, pantries, senior meal programs and other community meal sites – enabling our neighbors to put nourishing food on their tables.

We are the only food bank in Vermont. As a statewide organization, we use our three warehouse distribution centers to provide food to local partners in all 14 counties in Vermont. These local partners include food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, senior centers, after-school programs, and many more local, independently operated organizations who share the vision and goal that everyone in Vermont has the food they need and want. Vermont Foodbank secures large quantities of food from grocery stores, food manufacturers, farms, businesses, restaurants, individuals, and Feeding America, the national network of food banks. After the product is examined and sorted, it is distributed statewide to our network partners.

A food shelf is a local non-profit that provides food directly to individuals in need. A food shelf may obtain food from the Vermont Foodbank, from individual donors, and through wholesale and/or retail purchase. Visit our Find a Food Shelf page to see the Vermont Foodbank network partners in your community.

Food insecurity is when a family or an individual is unable to obtain enough safe and nutritious food from socially acceptable sources in order to lead an active and healthy life.