Our Programs

Farm to School

This comprehensive program is delivered to all South Burlington School District elementary classrooms – over 900 students.

Students learn about how foods are grown and how food systems bring food to our tables. Our engaging curriculum is presented once a month by a trained Common Roots Educator.

Lessons nurture lifelong healthy eating habits, including encouraging healthy school lunch menu choices. Students experience the colors, tastes, and textures of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other food products including honey, maple syrup, and herbs.

Farm to Go

Farm to Go is an after-school program offered in 6-week courses for 6th-8th middle grade students.

Our Chef Educator works with groups of 6 to 8 students to prepare healthy, delicious family meals and helps them gain confidence and concrete culinary skills as they collaborate in the kitchen.

Creative recipes give students an opportunity to experiment with healthy ingredients as the cornerstone of good nutrition. Students develop an understanding of how farms and food choices support a healthy lifestyle.

Community Food Shares

Community Food Shares is our food-security initiative. 30 families identified by social workers in South Burlington’s schools can enjoy a weekly, year-round supply of vegetables from our gardens and staples from Trader Joe’s, Klinger’s Bread and Panera Bread.

Growing Gardens

Growing Gardens, Growing Kids is a program implemented in partnership with the School’s Out program, Park and Recreation summer programs and field trips with children coordinated by classroom teachers. Children participate in planting and cultivating 50 organic, raised bed gardens.  Students are engaged in active agriculture lessons combined with hands-on food production, develop environmental awareness and an appreciation for fresh, healthy food, and cultivate the joys of working in gardens, growing food, and mindfulness of the natural world. Additionally, the harvest helps supply the Farm to School, Farm to Go, Pop Club and the Community Shares Food Programs