Food Connects
Food Connects is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a regional wholesale Food Hub (134+ farms, 280+ customers across VT/NH/MA), a Farm to School program serving 30+ schools, and a national Technical Assistance program for food hub compliance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersBrattleboro, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Food Connects does
Food Connects is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2013 that operates three integrated programs serving the New England regional food system. Its Food Hub aggregates and distributes products from 134+ regional farms and food producers to 280+ wholesale and institutional customers — including K-12 schools, hospitals, universities, independent grocers, and corporate cafeterias — across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts via a refrigerated fleet operating from a 20,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse at the BDCC Business Park in Brattleboro. The organization also runs a Farm to School program supporting 30+ schools with local food procurement, nutrition education, and summer meal kit distribution, and a Technical Assistance Program delivered nationally through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which provides compliance consulting, organic certification support, and peer mentorship to other food hubs.
The underlying technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary: inventory and sales software, GPS fleet tracking, temperature sensors on refrigerated compartments, and telematics for routing — there is no developer-facing API, no AI/ML capability, and no platform product beyond the shop.foodconnects.org online storefront. Revenue mechanics are mixed across three streams: (1) Food Hub wholesale margins on product aggregation and delivery (the largest stream, ~$4M in 2025, projected $8M by 2026, growing from $411K in 2018); (2) Farm to School program funding via grants, sponsorships, and school membership fees; and (3) Technical Assistance consulting funded indirectly through grants and program partnerships. Food Connects is governed by a community Board of Directors (Stephanie Bonin, President) and is led by Executive Director Lee Halpern, who was permanently appointed in August 2025 after founder Richard Berkfield stepped down. Capital sources include a $700K capital campaign in 2023 (including $500K in Congressionally Directed Spending via Senator Leahy), and recent federal/state grants totaling approximately $965K in 2025-2026.
Food Connects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Food Connects
- Legal name
- Food Connects
- Website
- https://foodconnects.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Food Connects is a Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a regional wholesale Food Hub (134+ farms, 280+ customers across VT/NH/MA), a Farm to School program serving 30+ schools, and a national Technical Assistance program for food hub compliance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Food Connects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Food Distribution and Aggregation Services
- NAICS
- Food Service Contractors (72231), Community Food Services (62421), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Institutional Foodservice Distribution (Education, Healthcare, Government) (CRAOABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Food Service & Dining Operations Management (Managed Cafeterias) (EDAEALAG), Food Systems & Value Chain Development for Nutrition (BPADAJAG), Menu Planning, Nutrition & Dietary Accommodation Services (Allergens, Special Diets) (EDAEAEAD), National/Multiregional Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAA)
Keywords
Where Food Connects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brattleboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Food Connects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Food Hub Distribution: Food Connects aggregates and distributes food products from regional farms and producers to wholesale and institutional buyers, generating revenue through product margins. The Food Hub has grown from $411,000 in sales in 2018 to nearly $4 million in 2025.
- Farm to School Educational Services: The Farm to School program provides food, farm, and nutrition education services to schools, supported through grants, program fees, and sponsorships. The program supports over 30 schools across Windham County.
- Technical Assistance Program: Food Connects offers hands-on technical assistance to other food hubs and institutions through its Catalyst Technical Assistance Program, helping them navigate compliance, scale capacity, and strengthen regional food systems. This includes one-on-one coaching, workshops, mock audits, and peer learning. Revenue from this stream is indirect, funded through grants and program partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Food Hub wholesale pricing for farms and institutional buyers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Food Connects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Food Connects operates a Food Hub that aggregates food products from 130+ regional farms and food producers and delivers them to 280+ wholesale and institutional customers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The organization also delivers a Farm to School program supporting 30+ schools with local food procurement and nutrition education, and a Technical Assistance Program providing compliance consulting and peer mentorship to food hubs nationally through the TOPP partnership.
Product overview
Food Connects operates as a dual-program organization with two core offerings: (1) the Food Hub — a regional wholesale food distribution platform that aggregates products from 130+ local farms and delivers to 280+ institutional and retail customers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts — and (2) the Farm to School Program — supporting 30+ schools with local food procurement and nutrition education. The organization also offers a Technical Assistance Program providing compliance consulting, organic certification support, and peer mentorship for other food hubs. A seasonal Summer Meal Kit Program distributes free meals to children through school district partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Food Hub A regional wholesale food distribution service that aggregates products from 134+ regional farms and food producers and delivers to over 280 customers, including schools, hospitals, universities, grocers, and senior living facilities, across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Revenue is generated through product margins.
- Farm to School Program An educational program supporting over 30 schools to increase local food purchasing, school meal participation, and food, farm, and nutrition education for students. Supported through grants, program fees, and sponsorships.
- Technical Assistance Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Food Hub grew from $411,000 in sales (2018) to nearly $4 million (2025), with a projected $8 million by 2026.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Food Connects
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Food Connects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Food Connects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC)coreFood Connects and the BDCC have partnered since 2017, when Food Connects moved into the BDCC Business Park. The BDCC helped identify adjacent warehouse space for Food Connects' 2019 cooler/freezer expansion and continues to provide infrastructure for Food Connects' operations. The BDCC has described Food Connects as 'food systems leaders' with a 'growth mindset.'
- TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program) / USDAcoreFood Connects is a TOPP partner through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Through this partnership, Food Connects provides technical assistance to food hubs across the country navigating new USDA Organic regulations and the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule. This includes webinars, training sessions, one-on-one coaching, site visits, mock audits, and peer mentorship.
- LOT49 AdvisorscoreLOT49 Advisors provided expert food safety consulting throughout Food Connects' cGMP certification process. Experts Jaclyn Bowen and Joe Dickenson guided the organization through regulatory compliance and audit preparation. Joe Dickenson also mentored the Vermont cohort of food hubs through the TOPP program.
- New England Food Hub & Processors NetworkcoreFood Connects is an active member of the New England Food Hub & Processors Network, a community of practice of more than 40 organizations that source from hundreds of regional producers and move tens of millions of dollars of local food each year. In September 2025, Food Connects hosted a site visit for 21 members from 13 hubs and processors across the region.
- Vermont Food Hub CollaborativecoreFood Connects co-founded the Vermont Food Hub Collaborative (VFHC) with The Intervale Center, Green Mountain Farm Direct, and The Center for Agricultural Economy. VFHC created Vermont Way Foods in 2020 to generate $12 million in new annual sales for Food Hub members and partner farms by 2025.
- NOFA VT (Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont)coreNOFA VT supported Food Connects through the Vermont mentorship cohort of TOPP, helping seven food hubs achieve organic certification in 2024. NOFA VT and Food Connects co-host events including Pizza Socials and collaborate on Farm to School and food access initiatives.
- UVM / SodexocoreFollowing Food Connects' cGMP certification in 2025, deliveries to the University of Vermont (through Sodexo) began in Fall 2025. This is a significant institutional partnership that expands Food Connects' reach into large university food service operations.
- Northeast Center to Advance Food Safety (NECAFS)minorFood Connects collaborates with NECAFS as part of the TOPP program to deliver compliance training and technical assistance to food hubs across the Northeast, including webinars and shared resources.
- Eastern Food Hub CollaborativeminorFood Connects partnered with the Eastern Food Hub Collaborative to host webinars on organic compliance reaching over 15 food hubs across the country, as part of the TOPP technical assistance program.
- Fresh Start FarmsminorFresh Start Farms, a New Hampshire organization supporting about 40 immigrant farmers, partners with Food Connects through the New England Food Hub & Processors Network. Fresh Start's produce, including culturally specific crops, is distributed through Food Connects' Food Hub.
- Farm to Institution New England (FINE)minorFINE serves as a convener and partner within the New England Food Hub & Processors Network. Food Connects collaborates with FINE on network activities, site visits, and regional food system initiatives.
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and MarketsminorThe Vermont Agency of Agriculture has partnered with Food Connects on Farm to School programs and local food incentive funding. Food Connects staff have testified at the State House to support LFI (Local Foods Incentive) funding backed by the Agency.
- Sage Dining ServicesminorSage Dining Services partnered with Food Connects to supply local food at Vermont Academy. Chef George and Food Connects staff collaborated on Earth Day programming and an Iron Chef competition for students.
- Deerfield Valley Real EstateminorDeerfield Valley Real Estate is a corporate sponsor of Food Connects' Farm to School program. As a mission-aligned local business, the sponsorship supports local food in schools and food education in the community.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Food Connects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Red Tomato: Mission-driven nonprofit food hub based in Massachusetts that aggregates and distributes regional produce from New England farms to wholesale and institutional buyers. Closest comparable in mission, geography, and operating model.
- Farm Fresh Rhode Island: Nonprofit operating a local food hub in Rhode Island that aggregates from regional farms and supplies schools, hospitals, and retailers — directly comparable in food hub aggregation, institutional focus, and nonprofit structure.
- The Intervale Center: Vermont-based nonprofit that runs farm and food enterprise programs, including aggregation through the Vermont Food Hub Collaborative that Food Connects co-founded. Direct collaborator and structural peer in regional food system work.
- Center for Agricultural Economy (CAE): Hardwick, VT nonprofit operating food hub and farm-to-institution programs as part of the Vermont Food Hub Collaborative. Comparable scale, mission, and institutional buyer focus to Food Connects.
- Green Mountain Farm Direct: Vermont-based food hub and Vermont Food Hub Collaborative co-founder that aggregates and distributes regional food to institutional buyers. Directly comparable in operating model and geographic footprint.
Emerging players
- Local Line: Software platform purpose-built for food hubs and farms to run wholesale ordering, aggregation, and distribution. Adjacent/competing with Food Connects' online shop and inventory tools.
- Barn2Door: SaaS platform serving farms and food hubs with e-commerce, subscription, and wholesale ordering — competitive on the digital storefront side of Food Connects' Food Hub.
Others
- Wallace Center at Winrock International: National nonprofit supporting food hubs and regional food systems through training, peer networks, and technical assistance — adjacent to Food Connects' Catalyst Technical Assistance Program.
Broad incumbents
- Performance Food Group: One of the largest broadline foodservice distributors in the US, serving institutional buyers like universities and hospitals. Represents the scaled incumbent that could compete with Food Connects as institutional buyers expand local sourcing.
- Sysco: Largest US broadline foodservice distributor with broad institutional relationships across healthcare, education, and hospitality — broad incumbent competing for the same institutional local-sourcing budgets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Food Connects social profiles
Digital presenceFood Connects compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Food Connects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Food Connects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Food Connects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Food Connects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Food Connects
What does Food Connects do?
Food Connects operates a Food Hub that aggregates food products from 130+ regional farms and food producers and delivers them to 280+ wholesale and institutional customers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The organization also delivers a Farm to School program supporting 30+ schools with local food procurement and nutrition education, and a Technical Assistance Program providing compliance consulting and peer mentorship to food hubs nationally through the TOPP partnership.
Is Food Connects a public or private company?
Food Connects is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Food Connects founded?
Food Connects was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Food Connects based?
Food Connects is headquartered in Brattleboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Food Connects make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Food Hub Distribution is the primary driver. The others are farm to School Educational Services and technical Assistance Program.
Who are Food Connects's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Red Tomato, Farm Fresh Rhode Island, The Intervale Center, Center for Agricultural Economy (CAE) and Green Mountain Farm Direct. Emerging players are Local Line and Barn2Door. Wallace Center at Winrock International is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Performance Food Group and Sysco.
Does Food Connects have an API?
No public API is recorded for Food Connects.
What industry is Food Connects in?
Food Connects's product category is Regional Food Distribution and Aggregation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOABAM, Institutional Foodservice Distribution (Education, Healthcare, Government), with a secondary code of EDAEALAG, Food Service & Dining Operations Management (Managed Cafeterias). Its NAICS code is 72231 and its SIC code is 5140.