Encouraging Economic Development in Vermont

H. 313 establishes numerous programs and policies to foster economic development. The bill includes provisions for the Farm to Plate Initiative, directing the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to develop a ten-year strategic plan to strengthen Vermont’s farm and food sector. One of the goals of the Initiative is to support existing farm to school programs, specifically to increase school purchases of local foods. The legislation authorizes $100,000 from the state fiscal stabilization funds for the program for fiscal year 2010.