More Progress through Partnerships
The Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC), the Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT), and Vermont Correctional Industries(VCI) have agreed to work in partnership with Salvation Farms to develop and integrate the Vermont Commodities Program activities into correctional facilities educational programs and industrial productions. This partnership will utilize inmate labor thus providing individuals with career training, skill building, an industry certification, and a positive work experience while contributing to the Vermont community.
We could not be happier about this project. It nicely compliments our research and development work occurring with Green Mountain Collegeand it moves our Vermont Commodities Program one step closer to stability.
The volume of surplus generated by Vermont farms is great; we estimate that surplus fruit and vegetables exceed 2 million pounds annually. The Vermont Commodities Program will enable the state to retain a majority of its farm surplus through light processing. Lightly processed products will be made available to institutional kitchens serving the young, sick and elderly as well as to emergency food providers. As crop volumes and diversity will differ year to year, Salvation Farms is partnering with DOC/CHSVT/VCI to appropriately manage the inconsistency of product availability. This partnership enables us to create the necessary operational procedures to make the program cost effective and the end product affordable.
What a milestone it is for us to be closing in on the final details of a contract with these state partners.
Already we have begun working directly with the CHSVT horticulture program staff to gain an understanding of the vegetable production occurring this season within three correctional facilities and the systems in place to move food from field to meal. It will be one of our responsibilities to assist in making this process smooth, ensuring that all food produced is used within the facilities and that inmates are learning how to predict availability, harvest, wash, and pack product for a market (the dining hall).
We are also working on our first pilot to bring Vermont surplus farm product into a correctional facility for sorting, grading, and packing for easy inventory and distribution by the state’s charitable emergency food organizations. This pilot consists of a partnership with the non-profit Tuberville and their for-profit partner Chappelle’s Vermont Potatoes.
As part of our contract we will ensure that educational and certification components are integrated into the program design. This component is a terrific opportunity to utilize an AmeriCorps VISTA that we are co-hosting with Laraway Farm/Laraway Youth & Family Services starting later this year.
How exciting! Participating inmates will gain valuable skills in the food and farming industries while being given an opportunity to help themselves while simultaneously providing to others. This is an example of how Salvation Farms strives to creatively manage and utilize diverse resources.
Until next time -
Be well, eat well!
Theresa