Common Roots connects farmers, educators, youth, families, and the wider community in building a sustainable future through place-based education and service programs. By collectively growing food for our schools, families, and food shelves, we celebrate the soil and soul of community. Our stewardship provides food security, affirms our local environment, and nurtures our common roots. With appreciation to Lindie Rheeder, for creating this presentation as part of her UVM Food Systems Internship experience, Winter Session, December 2015–January 2016.

1. Healthy Kids, Healthy Foods, Healthy Farms
Common Roots, Inc.
The Homestead at Wheeler Nature Park | PO Box 9335 | South Burlington VT 05403
www.commonroots.org | info@commonroots.org | 802.652.0188

2. Acknowledgments
Credits: Photos on slides 2, 3 (cherry tomatoes & squash
blossom), 10 (basil), 11-13 (all), 16, 21 (Swiss chard leaves), 44
copyright©2016 by Kindle Loomis. Used by permission. Photo
on slide 7 copyright©2016 by Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist.
Used by permission.
With appreciation to Lindie
Rheeder, for creating this
presentation as part of her
UVM Food Systems Internship
experience, Winter Session,
December 2015–January 2016.

4. Who We Are
Common Roots connects farmers, educators, youth,
families, and the wider community in building a
sustainable future through place-based education and
service programs. By collectively growing food for our
schools, families, and food shelves, we celebrate the
soil and soul of community. Our stewardship provides
food security, affirms our local environment, and
nurtures our common roots. By collectively growing
food for our schools, families, and food shelves, we
celebrate the soil and soul of community.

5. What We Do
҉ Provide community-
based programming
to strengthen food
security and local
food systems
҉ Promote food and
nutrition awareness
through hands-on,
place-based learning

6. What We Do
҉ Advocate for improved
school food systems
҉ Support sustainable local
agriculture
҉ Cultivate partnerships
that strengthen food
security and create
community

7. What We Do
҉ Support community engagement through internships
and service learning opportunities
Farm to School
intern Mia Finkle
introduces first
grader students to
cabbage! (Photo:
Ian Thomas
Jansen-Lonnquist)

8. What We Do
҉ Provide place-based
education programs
that support youth in
growing as responsible
global citizens
҉ Participate in natural
resource planning for
ecosystem stewardship

9. “Common Roots is a true
grassroots organization . . .
I am inspired by all that this
organization has accomplished.”
– David Hollenbeck
The Lattner Family Foundation

10. “Common Roots counters my environmental and
personal worries for the future, showing a passion
for active community, relationship building,
creativity, and change. It simply makes the world
a little more beautiful with each program offered.”
– Lauren, UVM student

11. Community (noun)-a feeling of fellowship with
others, as a result of sharing common attitudes,
interests, and goals.

12. Pictured: Community gardens
at Wheeler Nature Park, where
Common Roots shares space
in a 100+ year-old farmhouse

13. 2005 A few dozen community
members have a
conversation about health,
nutrition, and food systems.
They develop a strategic
plan for supporting a
local, sustainable food
system . . .
2006
2007 . . . and begin planning a
Farm to School program.
Our Timeline

14. 2008 Common Roots launches its
first program, Community
Food Shares, providing
organic CSA shares to 11
families in need . . .
2009 . . . implements the K–5
Farm to School program
and Growing Gardens at
Bread & Butter Farm . . .
2010 . . . and launches Farm to Go at the
middle school. Community Food
Shares more than doubles the
number of families served, and
Growing Gardens moves to a half
acre at the Farm at South Village.
Our Timeline

15. 2011 With four programs
underway, Common Roots
makes plans for number 5 . . .
2012 . . . and takes over
management of the South
Burlington Farmers Market.
2013 Common Roots brings
nationally recognized POP
Club (Power of Produce) to
the Farmers Market,
empowering youth to make
healthy food choices.
Our Timeline

16. 2014 With six core programs
in place, Common
Roots hires its first
program director . . .
2015 . . . and moves into its
first home: the
Homestead at Wheeler
Nature Park, 1100
Dorset St., South
Burlington, Vermont.
Our Timeline

17. Common Roots by the Numbers
• 900+ K–5 students receiving Farm to School
lessons each month and discovering they like
kale, cabbage, and more!
• 1,550 meals prepared by middle school students to
share with their families
• 16% increase in one year of fresh, local foods
purchased by Nutritional Services
• 200 POP Club members discovering that fresh, local
fruits and vegetables taste great!

18. Common Roots by the Numbers
• $300,000 kept in the local economy in 4 years of
Farmers Markets
• 52 weeks a year of increased access to healthy food
for local families
• 30 organic raised beds serving as an outdoor
agriculture education classroom
• 380+ pounds of fresh produce harvested this
season for community programs

19. Program Highlights
2015

20. Farm to School
• Students in grades K–5 classrooms are discovering
they like kale, cabbage, and more!
• From September through May in South Burlington
elementary schools, Farm to School educator Lizzie
Bogosian and interns from UVM’s Food Systems
Internship Program engage 900+ students in trying
new foods, learning about food systems, and
developing lifelong healthy eating habits.

21. “I wish we had Farm to School every
week!” – 5th grade student
“It’s a very worthwhile program. Keep it
coming!” – Classroom teacher
“We made the kale salad at home,
and guess what — my family loved
it!” – 2nd grade student
“I’d give this black bean dip we made 100%!” – 1st
grade student

22. Farm to Go
• This program inspires young chefs (grades 6-8) and
nurtures family relationships.
• Students learn about where their food is sourced
and how it is raised.
• Each week during this six-week program, students
bring home a complete healthy meal to enjoy with
their families.

23. Farm to Go
• Students learn cooking
techniques as they prepare
nutritious meals to enjoy with
their families.
• They collaborate, build
confidence, use their
creativity, and have fun as
they learn about farm and
food connections and develop
valuable life skills.
“My dad and I cook
dinner together almost
every day now.” – 8th
grade student

24. Growing Gardens
• Passionate educators engage
student in hands-on
agriculture lessons and food
production as they plant and
tend 30 organic raised beds at
the Farm at South Village.
• Students sample Swiss chard,
plant spinach, notice when
cucumbers on the vine are “just right,” and discover
that tomatoes taste “soooo good!”

25. Growing Gardens
“Can you believe we grew all these veggies?”
– 3rd grade student

26. Community Food Shares (CFS)
• Community Food Shares focuses on improving food
security for local families, while sharing the
abundance of our fields and community spirit.
• New! Participants now use coupons bearing
monetary value to use at the Farmers Market.
• Families can purchase an expanded selection of
nutritious foods that best meet their needs— fresh
produce, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chickens,
free-range eggs, and more.

27. Community Food Shares
• CFS expanded to a year-round
program in November 2014.
• How is CFS helping?
“We are able to shop for foods at
the Farmers Market that we normally
couldn’t afford.”
“The food share through Common Roots
has been a godsend to our family’s
goal of eating healthier.”
“My family is able to enjoy
locally grown food.”

28. South Burlington Farmers Market
• Brings together family
and friends in celebration
of local agriculture,
artisans, and community
• Supports the Community
Food Shares Program
• Features POP Club for
kids, live music, fun
activities, and more!

29. South Burlington Farmers Market
• New in 2015: the Market moved to a new location,
155 Dorset Street, and enjoyed its first indoor
season at the University Mall!

30. South Burlington Farmers Market

31. POP Club
(Power of Produce)
If you were a child, how would you spend $3?
POP Club participants make that decision each week at
the South Burlington Farmers Market!

32. POP Club (Power of Produce)
• POP Club is a nationally
recognized program that
empowers children to make
healthy eating choices.
• Each Market day from June
to October, POP Club
educators offer activities
that increase exposure to
locally grown seasonal fruits
and vegetables.

33. POP Club (Power of Produce)
• POP Club participants take
part in taste tests—turnips,
chard, sweet potatoes, and
more—and complete a
Passport to Health.
• They receive $3 tokens to
purchase produce directly
from Market vendors—
engaging in their local food
system as they meet the
farmers who grow their food!

34. POP Club (Power of Produce)
“My kids joined the POP club this
year, and it’s amazing how excited
they are now about trying new
veggies!” – Merin Maxwell, parent

35. Girls Circle
An innovative afterschool program for girls ages 11–15
• Developed and directed by
Farm to School educator
Lizzie Bogosian
• Dedicated to creating an
inclusive environment that
promotes self-confidence
and creates community
• Engages participants in the
natural world and their local
community
“Girls Circle has
become like a second
family to my daughter.”
– Parent

36. Camp Connect
at Wheeler Nature Park
• An inclusive, land-based
program for girls ages
11 – 15, designed and
directed by Farm to School
educator Lizzie Bogosian
• Campers stretch their minds
and their muscles—exploring
the natural world, learning
new skills, and connecting
with their community
“The whole camp was
a highlight of my
summer!”
– Camper, Summer 2015

37. Camp Connect
at Wheeler Nature Park
“Collaboration is the
earmark of this
wonderful opportunity
for our community’s
young women.”
– Susie Merrick
Healthy Schools Coordinator
South Burlington School District
Camp Connect, Summer 2015

38. Get on the Bus! Campaign
A collaborative effort, initiated by
Common Roots, secured funds to
purchase a mini bus for year-round
use by three South Burlington
programs: School’s Out, Big Picture
South Burlington, and Common Roots.
This bus makes it possible for Common Roots to host
field trips to the Growing Gardens site, where
educators work with students to tend 30 organic
raised beds!

39. SBSD Nutritional Services
• In 2013, Common Roots received a $40,000
grant to help the South Burlington Nutritional
Services Department improve kitchen
equipment in all school cafeterias.
• This equipment increases storage capacity of
fresh, local produce, allowing for preparation
of more nutritious menu items.

40. • A gift of $20,000 in 2014 funded a local chef
trainer to work with South Burlington School
District Nutritional Services staff to develop
new menu offerings, leading to a growing
variety of nourishing foods served in the
school cafeterias.

41. Charitable Giving
Common Roots relies on the generous support of friends,
neighbors, families, businesses, foundations, and other
philanthropic giving. These gifts make it possible to sustain
and strengthen our core programs and to grow in our
capacity to meet our mission in new ways. Common Roots
is deeply grateful to all who support our work through
charitable giving.

42. ▪ 1% for the Planet
& Terrafunga
▪ City of South Burlington
▪ Farm at South Village
▪ Healthy Living Market & Café
▪ NOFA-VT (Northeast Organic
Farming Association
▪ School’s Out
▪ South Burlington Recreation
& Parks
▪ South Burlington School
District
▪ The University of Vermont
& UVM’s Food Systems
Internship Program
▪ VT Community Garden
Network
▪ VT Farm to School Network
▪ VT FEED (Food Education
Every Day)
Partners & Resources
Thank you!

43. “Member businesses of the 1% for the
Planet network pride themselves in not
only doing good business, but also in
investing in their communities and in
causes that ensure the long-term sustainability of
the planet We are proud to partner with Common
Roots and recommend them to these businesses as
an organization committed to sustainability and
that offers some of the most innovative, high
impact food-related programming in the local
community.”
– Jon Cocina, Director of Membership
1 % for the Planet

44. Board of Directors
Carol McQuillen, Board Chair
K–1 Teacher, Orchard School
Eric Ayers, Board Treasurer
Tax Accountant, Marlene M. Bryant
CPA, PC
Terri Donovan, Ph.D., Board Secretary
UVM Rubenstein School of
Environment and Natural Resources
Deborah Schapiro, Marketing
Communications Consultant &
Community Food Enthusiast

45. Thank you!
Common Roots, Inc.
The Homestead at Wheeler Nature Park | PO Box 9335 | South Burlington VT 05403
www.commonroots.org | info@commonroots.org | 802.652.0188