2025 Local Food Access Impact Report

Johanna Doren, NOFA-VT Direct Markets & Local Food Access Director

January 21, 2026

Following steady growth over the last few years, NOFA-VT’s food security programs continued to see near record demand in 2025. Through Farm Share, Crop Cash (PLUS), Farm Stand Match, and Senior Farm Share, we have been able to support thousands of people in Vermont with accessing fresh, locally grown food at a price they can afford—and at the same time, providing vital income for our farmers.

A farmers market shopper holds two crop cash coupons out above a table of fresh local vegetables

 

Collectively, these programs funneled over $460,000 in income directly to Vermont farms, while leveraging at least an additional $452,943 in sales through SNAP transactions at farmers markets, and participant and community contributions towards CSA shares. As the price of food, inflation, and cost of living continue to rise, these programs have helped more Vermonters achieve food security while supporting the farmers growing the food we all need.

A representative from Champlain Valley Mushrooms stands smiling behind his farmers market table holding several crop cash coupons that customers used to purchase his products

 

Here are some highlights from 2025!

Farm ShareA map with blue markers indicating the number of farms participating in NOFA-VT's Farm Share program

  • We supported a record 591 households and 1,660 individuals through the Farm Share program in 2025!

  • Here’s the breakdown of the cost-sharing of these reduced-price shares:

    • Total value of Farm Shares in 2025: $344,470
    • NOFA-VT contribution: $111,790
    • Farm contributions (including donations from community members): $76,695
    • Participant contributions: $146,522

    • Number of farms and locations: 57 farms, across the state

       

    “The Farm Share Program has been life saving. I was diagnosed with cancer last year and although I am now in remission, all of the time off from work and all of the extra expenses associated with being ill has been a major strain. Knowing we can still access delicious, healthy, local food is amazing. My family is SO grateful for this program!” 

    - Farm Share program participant


    Share the Harvest

    In partnership with 60+ restaurants and businesses around all corners of Vermont, we raised more than $26,000 for the Farm Share Program this year. This collaborative fundraiser continues to grow each year, and is supported directly by our community members who shop, dine, and gather at participating businesses during the month of October. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!
     

    New Application Protocol 

    After operating the Farm Share program on a first-come, first-served basis, NOFA-VT staff convened an advisory committee of farmers, community members, and service providers to develop a more equitable and transparent approach to reviewing applications. This new application protocol will go into effect for the spring 2026 application cycle. 
     

    A graph showing the number of community members served by the Farm Share program each year


Crop Cash, Crop Cash PLUS, and Farm Stand Match

  • In 2025 we worked with 45 participating farmers markets & farm stands to provide SNAP incentives. Thanks to a state appropriation in the FY26 budget, we were able to bring back the Crop Cash Plus program beginning July 1st, so SNAP customers could get extra coupons to purchase food beyond produce—expanding the program to dairy, meat, eggs, bread, and more. Crop Cash PLUS also provided an economic boost to farmers. By expanding our incentive programs beyond produce, we doubled the number of farmers that could receive income through the programs and provided additional farmer revenue.
  • In 2025, $294,060 was redeemed at farmers markets and farm stands through the Crop Cash (PLUS) & Farm Stand Match programs. An additional $220,264 in SNAP dollars was used at participating farmers markets and farm stands.
  • During the summer market season, we facilitated seven multilingual outreach events with interpretation in nine languages, helping non-English speakers feel comfortable navigating the market and using SNAP dollars and Crop Cash.
     

Translation services being provided to non-English speaking customers at the Vermont Farmers market in Rutland as part of a NOFA-VT event aimed at improving communication about programs like Crop Cash.

  • In November 2025, when the federal government shutdown impacted disbursement of SNAP funds to recipients, we acted quickly to ensure that folks could still access local food. During the month of November, customers who needed help buying food could receive a flat $20 in Crop Cash PLUS to spend on any eligible food item at the farmers market, even if they did not have any SNAP benefits to spend. This support helped SNAP recipients access local food during the benefits delay while also ensuring farmers continued to receive Crop Cash Plus income.

    "Crop Cash has truly been life changing for us. Because Crop Cash has given us the ability to buy more fresh vegetables, we have been able to try new things and eat a more balanced diet, and eat more locally produced food. We are definitely healthier since adding a variety of fresh, local, seasonal produce and we feel good about being able to support our local farms." 

    - Dorset Farmers Market customer

     

    an array of greens, peas, scallions, and strawberries from an Intervale Community Farm farm share

     

Senior Farm Share

  • We celebrated our 25th year of running the Senior Farm Share Program in partnership with the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. We worked with 20 farms to provide small vegetable shares to limited-income seniors living in participating housing sites.
  • We expanded our reach to 87 housing sites across the state, serving 1,087 participants.
  • $54,350 was paid directly to participating farms for 5-10 weeks of produce, distributed free-of-charge to limited-income seniors and adults with disabilities.

 

“[The program] gave access to fresh and local produce for those who cannot drive [and] offered a community connection for the few who were involved to meet up every other week and discuss recipes they would use the shares for.” 

- Senior Farm Share housing site coordinator

Thank you to all program participants, farmers, farmers markets, senior housing sites, and the many supporters who make these programs what they are!