We believe that all Vermonters should have access to fresh, local food - and that this access is a vital part of a vibrant community food system.  

Our team is committed to increasing access to local food for our community. Through close partnership with farms at the Intervale and across the state, we distribute free produce to the greater Burlington community through our Fair Share CSA and other free food pop-ups. The produce in Fair Share is gleaned, donated, grown, or purchased locally to sustain our producers, our environment, and our community. 

What is gleaning?  When farms and crops flourish, farmers often end up with extra produce in their fields that they are not planning on harvesting. This can be for many reasons: the carrots are all twisty, the spinach is too big to be called “baby”, they don’t have time, or they don’t have a place to sell that product. The farmers and our team at the Intervale Center still want this surplus food to be eaten, so we bring volunteers out to the field to harvest and then redistribute it to you all for free- this is known as gleaning.

If you are a Chittenden County farmer and are interested in having our team come glean, or you have crop to donate, please reach out to gabby@intervale.org

opportunities to access free food year-round  

Fair Share is our free food share program, distributed at the Intervale Center weekly in the summer and monthly in the winter. Fair Share is comprised of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables each week. Members also have access to our Pick-Your-Own People’s Garden.   

Who is eligible for Fair Share? Fair Share is designed to serve those in our community who struggle to put fresh produce on their plates. We understand that this can look different for each household, and do not require documentation or income verification. We encourage you to sign up for Fair Share if you meet any of the following guidelines: unemployed or underemployed; support children or other dependents; receive SNAP, WIC, or other public benefits; have significant debt; have unaffordable housing costs; have immigration-related expenses; have participated in this program in the past and found it to be impactful on your expenses. 

How can I sign up for Fair Share? Summer Fair Share (July-October) sign-ups are sent out in mid-April. Please sign up for our mailing list using the button below to ensure you receive all sign-ups, reminders, and information! If you do not use email, please contact our Food Access Manager, Gabby, at (802) 660-0440 x120 for other options.  

What about during the winter?  Thanks to grant funding from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and a partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, we can distribute produce during the off-season (November-June) at the Intervale Center and in Winooski. During these months we run a free food distribution once a month at the Intervale Center. Shares are pre-packed. We also run occasional ‘pop-up’ distributions in the Greater Burlington Area. Please sign up for our mailing list to receive sign-ups and schedules for our off-season free food options.