DOC Announces Monument Farms To Provide Vermont Milk to Correctional Facility Residents

What this means

Partnership continues program supported by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture which reduced waste, improved nutritional benefits and created new markets for Vermont farm products September 17, 2026 | Weybridge, VT - A new partnership was announced today between the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) and Monument Farms, based in Addison County, to deliver fresh local milk to Vermont correctional facilities, while improving the health of incarcerated Vermonters and building new markets for the state’s agricultural sector. For years, the powdered milk provided with meals at DOC facilities has been under-consumed, resulting in waste and associated costs.

Official release

Source material from Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Partnership continues program supported by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture which reduced waste, improved nutritional benefits and created new markets for Vermont farm products

September 17, 2026 | Weybridge, VT - A new partnership was announced today between the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC) and Monument Farms, based in Addison County, to deliver fresh local milk to Vermont correctional facilities, while improving the health of incarcerated Vermonters and building new markets for the state’s agricultural sector.

“A person’s health and wellness is impacted by everything from medical care to the beverage you drink with breakfast each day,” said Jon Murad, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. “Providing fresh, local milk allows us to offer more healthy options for the individuals in our care and custody while also supporting Vermont’s dairy industry.”

For years, the powdered milk provided with meals at DOC facilities has been under-consumed, resulting in waste and associated costs. At the same time, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) has sought ways to expand the market for local Vermont Dairy products; it is dedicated to expanding institutional market opportunities for Vermont farms, by helping farms sell to schools, hospitals, colleges, and corrections facilities. The Agency's Farm to Institution Program provides funding and technical assistance to Vermont institutions, including the Department of Corrections, to overcome the barriers to buying local food from Vermont farms in their food service programs. Farm to Institution keeps dollars circulating in the local economy and leverages the food service budgets of our public institutions to invest in our working landscape.

The two agencies combined forces to make the switch to fluid milk, primarily from Vermont dairies. This was made possible through a $17,201 investment from the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council to increase refrigeration capacity at several facilities. The investment helped support a program that has purchased more than $200,000 in local fluid milk from Vermont dairy farmers.

The impact of the switch to liquid milk was documented through surveys and data collection. This research found that:

87% of those living and working in Vermont correctional facilities believe it is important to source milk and food from local farms.

Waste tied to leftover/unconsumed reconstituted powdered milk has been reduced by 64%.

Milk consumption in all corrections facilities has doubled.

However, challenges with the Vermont dairy industry led to the initial source for milk having to shut down.. The DOC and VAAFM were determined to continue to support Vermont dairies and the health of incarcerated Vermonters, however, and were thrilled when Monument Farms stepped forward. The DOC commissioner noted that the dairy also is able to provide the milk at a competitive price; this combined with the reduced waste and better health outcomes means it is a smart investment that also supports the sustainability of the state’s agricultural sector.

“Milk is a nutritious beverage that is loaded with protein, minerals and vitamins,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture. “It is great to see real milk will continue to be served in Vermont correctional facilities. Thank you to the dairy farmers of Vermont for supporting this project and the Department of Corrections for investing in our dairy farmers.”

DOC Commissioner Murad noted that the Monument Farms partnership is part of a broader effort to provide fresh, local food products for incarcerated Vermonters. “Two of our facilities have vegetable gardens that provide fresh produce for residents, and we are planning for a garden at a third facility next year,” Murad added. “We also are buying fresh eggs and are working with Salvation Farms to secure fresh vegetables from Vermont agricultural producers.”

The move towards DOC “buying local” started in 2019; the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, which houses women, began providing local and regional milk, with strong support from the Legislature’s Women’s Caucus. Representative Carol Ode, a member of the Caucus, was a key facilitator of the effort.

“When the Women’s Legislative Caucus visited the Women’s Correctional Facility a few years ago, we identified fresh milk as a priority and, although a small change, one that could make a big difference,” said Representative Ode. “Secretary Tebbetts immediately went to work, and the result is better health for all those incarcerated and a further expanded market for local Vermont dairy. This story is an example of what Vermonters can do when we listen to each other and when we work together.”

For more information on this state agency partnership, visit: Farm to Corrections: Local Milk Project | Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets.

Release text attributed to Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.