• Vermont 211 Vermont 211 is a free, confidential information and referral program of the United Ways of Vermont, helping connect Vermonters to a wide range of resources and services. 
• Hunger Free VT Food Resources list offers information about some of the many programs in Vermont that can be helpful.
• 3SquaresVT – Boost your grocery budget to shop at your local grocery store, convenience store, farmers market, or online. Click here to learn more. For application assistance call 1-855-855-6181, or text VFBSNAP to 855-11.
• WIC - Healthy food and support for you if you are pregnant or a parent or caregiver for a child under the age of 5.  Call 2-1-1 or text VTWIC to 855-11.
• CSFP – The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is a federal nutrition program which offers free monthly boxes of staple foods to income-eligible adults over the age of 60.  Learn more and apply here.
• Find a food shelf – The Vermont Foodbank partners with 215 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, homeless shelters and out of school programs across the state. Find a site near you.
• If you are age 60 or older, call the helpline 1-800-642-5119 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging for personal assistance with 3SquaresVT, getting meals delivered to you at home, and more.
• For meals for children 18 and under, call 2-1-1 or visit the USDA Meal Finder to find out about locations.
•  NOFA-VT's Community Food Access page offers multiple ways can  Vermonters can access local food on a budget.

VT Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Free business advising, technical assistance, workshops. Find your local advisor by county

Center for Women & Enterprise

A non-profit economic empowerment organization that strengthens communities and the economy by supporting women and others to launch and successfully sustain businesses through consultations, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Community Navigator Pilot Program

Designed to “reduce barriers that all small businesses — including those owned by disadvantaged groups such as veterans, women and those from rural communities —often face in accessing critical support.

CVOEO

Income-qualifying small business resource for 1:1 coaching, technical assistance, and workshops. Great for troubleshooting ideas, tapping into emerging markets, and finding financial support. 

VT Independent Restaurant Coalition

An emerging coalition of over 180 Vermont restaurants and bars working together to build, connect, and inspire. Join and connect with others in the industry!

Vermont Fresh Network

A membership-based nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing relationships among farmers, chefs, and consumers to grow markets and eat more locally grown food. 

Chambers of Commerce

Join your regional chamber to access resources, programs, networking and marketing opportunities.

Downtown Associations

Technical assistance and state funding for community development based around designated downtowns. Check out your municipality’s downtown!

ACCD Economic Development Funding Resources

Good place to keep an eye on grants. Not all applicable for food service, but worth exploring. 

If you are a restaurant owners considering loans but finding it challenging to get funding from traditional banks and credit unions, try:

• Community Capital of VT
• Vermont Community Loan Fund