Salvation Farms is pleased to announce that we have been selected as an awardee of the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s (VCRD) Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund. As one of twenty-four Vermont-based projects given funding this cycle, the Council aims to support and promote “local innovators in developing solutions that move Vermont closer to its climate and energy goals. Projects are practical and creative efforts that expand community resilience, reduce energy use, and create new approaches to challenging problems."
Recipient’s were selected based on the merits of “innovation, equity, resilience, replicability, collaboration,” and our ability to help Vermont meet our state climate goals. We are proud to have been awarded alongside some of our long-time food system collaborators like ACORN, North East Kingdom Organizing (NEKO), the CAE and others doing the important work of building climate resilience into everything we do.
We know all too well: the climate crisis is a real threat to Vermont’s farms and thus Vermont’s food supply. As recipients– the funds awarded to Salvation Farms by the VCRD will go directly to our gleaning program: we are constantly expanding our efforts to respond to farmers, mobilize volunteers, and get as much fresh local food from farms to charitable food sites as possible.
We couldn’t be more grateful for the VCRD to recognize the work Salvation Farms is already doing by awarding us these funds to make sure all of Vermont’s edible crops make it to people either through gleaned produce or our Vermont Commodity Program (VCP). Our work to address food insecurity through modeling and adapting small, community responsive distribution networks is what food security and addressing the climate crisis is all about.
Once again, thank you to the VCRD, the Fund’s underwritten sponsors, and Vermont’s rural communities for honoring Salvation Farms as recipients of the Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund.
Addressing food access is climate action and we are determined to continue the important work of saving food, supporting farms, and feeding our neighbors.