Produce Program

Vermont Produce Safety Improvement Grants help Vermont produce growers implement on-farm food safety practices, transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and meet market demands for on-farm food safety.

When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, Kara and Ryan Fitzbeauchamp of Evening Song Farm made radical changes to their business: they canceled their farmers markets for the season, developed an online store, and adjusted their field maps to meet the demands of a larger volume of CSA sales.

Farmers building for the future, growing their businesses and keeping produce safety in mind. A Lamoille County couple shares their story.

Karin Bellemare and Jon Wager, owners of Bear Roots Farm in Barre, Vermont, began their farming venture with a few backyard chickens and ducks, some tomato plants, and a drive to own a business and provide healthy, high-quality food for the community.

Elizabeth Wood, owner and farmer, sought to make on-farm improvements to address produce safety, efficiency, and product quality all in one.