Milk Cooler and Vending Machine Cost Share Program

School Milk Equipment

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering grants for school milk equipment. The agency is accepting grant applications through April 5, 2004. The funding for the grant program comes from Vermont dairy farmers through the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council.

The grant provides funding for 50%, up to $2000, of the purchase price of a milk vending machine or a milk cooler. Typically, milk coolers are forced cold air. Milk vending machines are growing in popularity and demand. The vending machines can also sell string cheese, yogurt and drinkable yogurt products. Vending machines in Vermont schools have been very successful, Data from machines in schools in Lamoille, Addison and Washington counties shows that between September 1, 2003 and November 30, 2003 schools sold over 12000 pints of milk, over 3000 pieces of string cheese and Cabot cheddar cheese, over 1500 cups of yogurt. These sales were new sales in addition to the dairy products sold on the school lunch line. For more information contact Denise Russo at 828-3835 or drusso@agr.state.vt.us. The grant application can be downloaded and printed from the agency’s website – www.vermontagriculture.com