A Program to Feed Everyone

Vermont Everyone Eats is a federally funded program, through the CARES Act, and is made possible through a state grant provided by the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development to Southeastern Vermont Community Action. Together with ShiftMeals, the Intervale Center serves Chittenden County. Other ShiftMeals partnerships that allow the program to serve Vermont include Healthy Roots in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties and Capstone Community Action in Washington, Lamoille, and Orange Counties.

Everyone Eats is a program for “everyone” who has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the pandemic. It’s been a tough year for a lot of individuals and this program aims to relieve some of the stress that comes with day-to-day life. It’s an all encompassing program that works to break down barriers related to food access and support our community members in numerous ways. The program works with restaurant partners to create nutritionally balanced meals using at least 10% locally sourced items, which are then distributed amongst the community. One of the most beautiful aspects of the program is the fact that it doesn’t only serve community members experiencing food insecurity; it also directly supports restaurant owners, workers, Vermont farmers and food producers. Everyone Eats distributes meals that serve both a nutritional purpose as well as bring joy to those who receive them. Food is a powerful tool in creating connections, fostering community, and nourishing our bodies, minds and spirits.

At the end of 2020, the program was set to end, and it did...but only temporarily. The program was able to secure more funding and from that moment on we took off running, working around the clock to get meals distributed as soon as possible! Currently, the program is in full swing and evolving every day! At the moment, we are working with over 40 community partners all across Chittenden County and have six public distributions every week. There are distributions Monday-Friday in Burlington, Milton, Richmond, Essex, and Winooski. We’re so lucky to have incredible partners including but not limited to: ECHO, Pine Forest Children’s Center, the Boys & Girls Club, NFI-VT, several Cathedral Square Senior Living sites, COTS, the Sara Holbrook Community Center, Burlington Children’s Space, UVM Pediatrics and the Medical Center. We are so grateful to each and every community partner; the program wouldn’t run without them!

On average, about 6,000 meals are going out to our community members on a weekly basis. Our newly hired delivery driver, Bella Fazio, (pictured on the right) is integral to those deliveries as are all of our incredible community partners. Her favorite way to start her day of driving is by swinging by Momo’s Market and grabbing a Clean Cause Blackberry Yerba Mate. If you see an orange Skinny Pancake van driving around town, give a wave! Since the program restarted in January 2021, we’ve distributed tens of thousands of meals and intend to keep that going!

In addition to meal distributions, Vermont Everyone Eats has partnered with the Localvore App, which allows individuals to pick-up meals, just like any other takeout, from a variety of partner restaurants around the state. Some restaurant options in Chittenden include: Skinny Pancake, Misery Loves Co., Pizza44, Trattoria Delia, Pizzeria Verita, A Single Pebble, El Cortijo, and so many more!

We are incredibly excited for spring and hope that warm temperatures bring more and more folks out to meal distributions! Come try one of our delicious meals. Tell your friends, co-workers, neighbors, family members, EVERYONE! The program is expected to run through June 30th of this year.

If you have any questions about the program, please visit https://shiftmeals.org/everyone-eats/ or email Morgan Milhomens, Everyone Eats Community Outreach & Distribution Manager for Chittenden County, at EveryoneEats@intervale.org.