Editor’s Note: Caroline Gilman is an Intern at the Vermont FoodBank and writes about a new program offering. Diggers’ Mirth participated in this program until November and then the Intervale Community Farm picked up the winter distribution.

Intervale Community Farm is excited to share about a partnership with the Vermont Foodbank providing culturally responsive CSA shares to New American and BIPOC families in Chittenden County. In response to the increase in food insecure households in these communities during the pandemic, UVM, The City of Burlington, Vermont Foodbank, Association of Africans Living in Vermont, The Family Room, Diggers’ Mirth Collective Farm and Intervale Community Farm worked together to meet the need of the community. Additionally, an extensive research study was done in collaboration with Dr. Pablo Bose from UVM to better understand specific food needs of the New American Community in Chittenden County.

The culturally responsive CSA shares are designed to meet food preferences of families and are distributed directly to 55 families from the Janet S. Munt Family Room and AALV in the Old North End. CSA recipients receive a box containing ICF vegetables delivered directly to their home. Providing refugee families with culturally responsive food, especially during the pandemic, creates a greater sense of community and connectiveness. Additionally, because of COVID safety and protocol, food deliveries have supported families while in quarantine and increased their access to local vegetables.

What type of food is included in the shares? Anything from Asian eggplant, spinach, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, greens, kale, and watermelon were included in the shares. Somali families received specific collard varieties and Nepali families received bitter melon.

The response from recipients so far has been positive, with initial findings indicating families reported an increase in access to culturally responsive foods, as well as an increase in overall vegetable intake. ICF will be continuing the home delivery CSA shares through March 2021. Depending on several factors, the Foodbank hopes to continue partnering with ICF and Diggers’ Mirth on home delivered shares. The Foodbank and community partners are continuously grateful for ICF’s support around this initiative and for the thousands of pounds of additional produce donated through gleaning programs.