Our Research
Food Loss in Vermont: Estimating Annual Vegetable and Berry Loss
Salvation Farms conducted the 1st statewide study to estimate food loss in Vermont. Food loss occurs when edible food is left unharvested or is harvested but is not sold or donated and therefore goes uneaten.
Based on farmer surveys, it is estimated that 14.3 million pounds of vegetables and berries are lost in Vermont annually – enough to fill more than 7,000 pick-up trucks.
Salvageable Food Losses from Vermont Farms: an Academic Article
In partnership with Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Salvation Farms’ food loss in Vermont research has been published as an academic article in the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. Read the Center for a Livable Future blog post and the full research article.
Ideas from the Farm: Vermont Growers Insights on Reducing Food Loss
Growers from around Vermont were interviewed as part of Salvation Farms' research. Our goal was to better understand growers' perspectives and insights into how best to reduce food loss on Vermont farms. We found that Vermont growers are interested in finding new markets for surplus produce, streamlining donation systems, and improving production techniques, in addition to other thoughts.
Fresh Produce Needs Across Vermont: A Fresh Produce Survey
Salvation Farms released the Fresh Produce Needs Report as a companion to the Food Loss in Vermont study. This report estimates demand for fresh produce within Vermont food programs, based on surveys. The report teases out preferences and challenges in sourcing and using produce.
Food shelves and public schools were the majority of respondents. Other respondents include prisons, Meals on Wheels programs, and housing sites.