Co-op Seedling Grants

Six people stand in a row in a white-walled conference room. The two people in the middle are holding a sign that has "Milk With Dignity" printed at the top and "$7,500" printed at the bottom.

What Are Seedling Grants?

Through our Co-op Seedling Grant program, City Market grants funding to projects from Vermont non-profit organizations whose work strengthens our local food system. The Seedling Grants will be the 50% Rally for Change partner for four separate months in FY23 & FY24 to fund this year's Grants Program. 

Join Our Member Grants Committee!

Seedling grant recipients are selected by Co-op Members! We're looking for Members and staff to join our Member Grants Committee. This committee will meet three times in July and August of 2024 to review grant applications and recommend funding decisions to City Market's Board of Directors. To apply to join the committee, send in your application by Friday, June 14 at 5pm. We’ll notify applicants by Monday, June 24. Committee Members must be available to meet on three separate dates in July and August, to be determined after the committee is selected. Time spent reviewing applications and in committee meetings is eligible for Member Worker hours.

Village Hydroponics

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Village Hydroponics, How To Build an Indoor Farm, $7,500"

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Addison Allies Network

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Community Kitchen / Tortilleria Development Phase, $6,150"

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Hardwick Area Food Pantry

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Hardwick Area Food Pantry - Community Meat / Local Protein Initiative - $5,450"

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Janet S. Munt Family Room

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Family Play at the Garden - $5,200"

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Common Roots

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Common Roots - Food Security & Food Sustainability - $4,000"

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Smokey House Center

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Improving Blueberry Protection and Production Study - $3,200"

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Lund

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Five people gathered around a sign that says "Lund - The Fruit Tree Project - $2,500"

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Friends of the Highgate Library and Community Center

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John Tashiro holds a sign that reads "Feed Highgate - $500"

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The Quarry Hill School

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A group of people gathered around a sign that says "Quarry Hill School - Stone Soup Garden - $500"

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Seedling Grant History

During profitable years, City Market Members receive patronage checks based on their spending as a form of profit-sharing. According to City Market’s By-Laws, any Patronage Refunds that are not cashed within 90 days are donated to organizations supporting our local food system, as directed by our Board. In 2014, City Market created a new program to offer grants through our uncashed Patronage Refund checks – our Seedling Grant Program! Since 2018, this program has been funded through Rally for Change as the Co-op works toward a return to profitability after our South End expansion.

Five people stand in front of a building with sliding doors and a marquee that reads "City Market." There is a red ribbon in front of the people and all along the entrance to the building. The person to the farthest left is talking, and the other four face him. At the far right, several additional people are standing and clappng.

Past Seedling Grant Recipients

2023: Village Hydroponics, Addison Allies Network, Hardwick Area Food Pantry, Janet S. Munt Family Room, Common Roots, Smokey House Center, Lund, Friends of the Highgate Library and Community Center, the Quarry Hill School

2022: Sterling College, Janet S. Munt Family Room, Fairfield Community Center Association, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Rural Vermont, Spoonful Herbals, Friends of Fletcher Free Library, LUND, and Slow Food Vermont

2021: Community Health Centers of Burlington, Common Roots, Boys & Girls Club of Burlington, Milk With Dignity Standards Council, and Age Well

2020: 350 VermontACORNBarton Community GardenNew Community ProjectNOFA-VT, and UVM State Agricultural College

2019: Janet S. Munt Family RoomTrinity Children's CenterFarm at VYCCAALV New Farms for New AmericansLund VTHOPE (Addison County)Pathways VT (Soteria House)HANDSCVOEO, and UVM Extension

2018:  Age WellCommunity Health Centers of BurlingtonThe Howard CenterMilk with DignityUnited Way of Lamoille CountyUVM Plant & Soil Science, and Winooski Partnership for Prevention

2017:  Burlington High School's Richard Meyer's Food Science ClassThe Intervale CenterJanet S Munt Family RoomThe Schoolhouse Learning CenterUVM Foundation, and Downtown Winooski 

2016: Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf: Farm Stand ProjectIntervale Center: Trail Extension ProjectRural Vermont: Regenerative Agriculture ProjectSalvation Farms: Food Hub Workforce Training ProgramSpoonful Herbals: Herb MobsSustainability Academy PTO: Processing/Cooking KitUniversity of Vermont: Plugging a "Leek" in the Local Food System and Vermont Community Garden Network: Gardens for Learning

2015: Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf: Farm Stand ProjectIntervale Center: Trail Extension ProjectRural Vermont: Regenerative Agriculture ProjectSalvation Farms: Food Hub Workforce Training ProgramSpoonful Herbals: Herb MobsSustainability Academy PTO: Processing/Cooking KitUniversity of Vermont: Plugging a "Leek" in the Local Food System and Vermont Community Garden Network: Gardens for Learning

2014:  Pine Island Farm: Chicken CollaborativeLiving Well Group: Farm to Care ProgramUniversity of Vermont: Establishing a Swede Midge Damage Threshold for Brassica CropsThe Schoolhouse Learning Center: Taking Root: The Farm, Food, Forest (FFF) Program, and Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf: Food Shelf Mobile Pantry and Transport Trailer

Past Seedling Grant Award Ceremonies

Due to COVID-19, we were not able to have in-person awards ceremonies in 2020 and 2021. Prior to 2020, we recorded our Seedling Grant Award Ceremonies. These gatherings presented a wonderful opportunity for grant recipients to meet with us, each other, and public officials to celebrate their impressive work and make connections. 

2018

2017

2015