USDA Food Distribution in Schools

Vermont schools participating in the National School Lunch Program are entitled to receive additional food purchased by USDA to support American agricultural markets. Each Spring, schools select the foods they wish to receive during the following school year through USDA’s online ordering system, called Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM). Throughout the school year, the selected foods arrive at the state contracted warehouse and schools release their foods for delivery using the contractor’s ordering website. USDA Foods available in Vermont include a variety of canned and frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, meats and cheeses. USDA Foods are 100% American grown, and some of our USDA Foods come from our region – including frozen wild blueberries from Maine and frozen vegetables from New York State.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps individuals and families with limited income get free, nutritious food. This federal program provides food to local food banks, food pantries, and meal sites. These organizations distribute the food to people in need or use it to prepare meals. If you’re struggling to afford food, TEFAP could be a resource for you.

The Agency of Education partners with the Vermont Foodbank to operate TEFAP. If you’re looking for information on food pantries and meal sites that offer TEFAP foods, contact the Vermont Foodbank: 

You can find food pantries and meal sites that offer TEFAP foods using the “Find a Foodshelf” feature on the Vermont Foodbank’s website.  Click “More Filters” to limit your search to sites that offer TEFAP.

TEFAP Eligibility  

To qualify for free food through TEFAP in Vermont, you must live in the state and have an income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. You don’t need to prove your income or how long you’ve lived in Vermont.  You do not need to provide a proof of address.  You’ll just need to fill out a simple form called the "Statement of Eligibility" the first time you ask for food during the program year (July 1–June 30).  You will be asked to fill out the form when you visit a participating food pantry, and they will keep it on file there.  You do not need to send the form to the State of Vermont or USDA.  These forms are updated every July and provided by the Vermont Foodbank to local food programs.

If you can’t pick up food yourself, you can give written permission for someone else (a proxy) to pick it up and sign the paperwork for you.  Your proxy can take your written permission to a food pantry that participates in TEFAP to pick up food for you.  

If your child qualifies for free or reduced-price meals at school, your household is automatically eligible for TEFAP food. Programs like backpack food distributions for children can use a list of eligible families instead of requiring the form.

If you need help, contact your local food pantry or the Vermont Foodbank for more information. 

Other USDA Food Programs 

USDA Foods are also distributed through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFSP) for income-eligible seniors.

Vermont does not receive USDA Foods for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Instead, CACFP sponsors receive cash in lieu of USDA Foods with their CACFP meal reimbursements.