The Power of Farm to School Frederick’s Veggie Van

Knowing kids need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to grow strong is basic, but making sure our children can actually access healthy food is another story – and that’s why organizations like Farm to School Frederick (FTSF) are so important.

In Western Maryland, where a lack of living wage jobs and severe weather can be big barriers to food access, the Farm to School is providing fresh produce in highly accessible places like Waverley Elementary School in Frederick.

In what began as a federally funded program in 2018 through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm to School’s initial goals were to increase local food procurement, educate people about the intersection of agriculture and nutrition, and provide hands-on experiential learning through gardening or farm work.

Due to the challenges of the pandemic, and kids and families not being able to use traditional school resources, the program shifted to focusing on increasing food access through partnerships with local community groups such as the Judy Centers, which provide supervisory and education services (much like our Summer and Supper Club partners) at a handful of schools in Frederick County.

During the initial 10-week “test run” at the Judy Center in at Waverly Elementary, 39 families accessed nearly 2,500 pounds of 26 different varieties of produce including apples, pears, broccoli, kale, potatoes, and more.

“Providing access to fresh food through the Judy Centers really aligns with our goals very well, because we are able to help increase access to the food, we’re able to support learning and development and growth, and then also foster some of those hands on experiences for families to have together and form healthy behaviors,” said Alysia Feuer, Executive Director of Farm to School Frederick.

Six Ways the Veggie Van Empowers Communities

In 2025, the primary way that FTSF offers neighbors relief is through the Veggie Van—a farmer’s market on wheels—that addresses food insecurity in six critical areas:

Education

Equips families with nutrition education and cooking tips to encourage healthy habits.

Health

Serves communities facing disproportionate nutrition-related health challenges.

FTSF’s website describes The Veggie Van as more than a food access program, it’s a movement toward health equity, food education, and community empowerment, and Executive Director Feuer agrees:

“We say we’re not just about food security; we’re doing nutrition security—so right now, we’re really focusing on highly nutritious fresh foods: fruits, vegetables, and eggs,” she noted.

The Veggie Van is a welcome complement to Mobile Markets, a Maryland Food Bank program featuring 26-foot vehicles that travel to targeted locations where food-insecure residents can “shop” for a variety of foods, including fresh produce, dry goods, and frozen/perishable items.

The Challenges of Maintaining & Expanding the Veggie Van’s Impact

Currently, the Veggie Van is maintaining access to fresh, locally sourced produce for neighbors at Waverley Elementary in the Frederick Heights neighborhood, but Feuer shared some plans for expansion.

“The pilot program went well, so we’ll continue with the Waverly market, and launch our Hillcrest market this summer. Then, in the fall, we’ll launch in Thurmont for 10 weeks between September and Thanksgiving, and we think we’re going to have funding for a fourth location, but we’re still working on that.”

At a time when headlines focus on cuts to benefits programs like SNAP, Farm to School Frederick is helping local families maximize their resources though a nutrition incentive program called “Veggie Van Bucks” where FTSF matches up to $10 for neighbors using SNAP.

And they have another secret weapon: passionate volunteers.

“Public health workers are passionate. We saw a lot of opportunity and a lot of need, and people gravitating toward the concept that ‘people just want fresh food,’” Feuer said. “So we realized that we had a niche that we could fill, and impact a lot of lives and, people just wanted to help,” she continued.

But it’s not just individuals – local companies and foundations are stepping up to figuratively fuel the Veggie Van. “The Osterman Family Foundation and Food Lion are supporting us financially, and even though Woodsboro Bank has already been volunteering with us, they invited us to apply to their next funding cycle this fall!” said Feuer.

Day in and day out, more than 780 community partners statewide are ensuring that neighbors have access to nutritious foods, and the opportunity to build their own pathway out of hunger. These community partners are the true experts in what members of their community need, and to see partners like Waverley Elementary form partnerships with organizations like Farm to School Frederick is truly inspirational.