Vermont is famous for its local-first image — dairy farms, maple syrup, town meetings, and fiercely independent politics.
But behind the bucolic picture is an uncomfortable reality:
Vermont imports almost everything it needs to survive, from the food on its tables to the technology that keeps its government running.
While politicians regularly champion “buy local” and “sustainability” initiatives, Vermont today imports over 86% of its food and a staggering 94% of its information technology services from out-of-state vendors.
The result is billions of dollars flowing out of the local economy — and a state increasingly dependent on others for both its physical and digital sustenance.
Billions Exported
According to the Vermont Agriculture and Food System Strategic Plan, only 13.9% of food purchases in Vermont are for products grown or produced inside the state.
That leaves approximately $1.89 billion annually spent on imported food, out of a total estimated food expenditure of $2.2 billion.
The technology sector tells a similar story.
An analysis of Vermont’s FY2024 contracts for services shows that out of $2.5 billion authorized for IT and technical services, over 94% was awarded to out-of-state vendors.
In-state companies captured less than 6% of the total — meaning nearly $2.4 billion was exported to firms in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond.
Among the notable recipients:
- ReFrame Solutions (Connecticut) handles Vermont’s elections reporting and campaign finance disclosures.
- Stonewall Solutions (Massachusetts) manages lobbyist registration systems.
- Numerous out-of-state universities, including the University of Massachusetts and Dartmouth College, were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for specialized consulting and evaluation projects.
Even disability support programs like College Steps, aimed at helping young adults succeed in college, were sourced from national nonprofits headquartered outside Vermont.
What’s Lost When Money Leaves
The loss isn’t just theoretical.
When dollars are spent locally, they recirculate through the economy — supporting jobs, tax revenues, and small business growth.
When dollars are exported, that multiplier effect benefits someone else.
If Vermont could shift even half of its food and IT spending back into local businesses, it could inject nearly $1.9 billion per year into its own economy — sparking potentially $3 billion or more in total economic activity when considering standard local spending multipliers.
Thousands of high-paying jobs could be created in agriculture, food processing, software development, cybersecurity, elections management, and cloud services.
Tax revenues would climb without raising rates.
Local resilience would increase — both in food security and in critical digital infrastructure.
Instead, Vermont today builds the economies of other states — even as it struggles with population decline, stagnant wages, and rural economic decay.
Could Vermont Do It Alone?
The hard question no one seems willing to ask is:
Is there any real reason Vermont couldn’t feed itself and manage its own IT infrastructure?
The honest answer:
Technically, no. Practically, it would be hard — but absolutely possible.
Vermont has the land, water, and farming expertise to dramatically increase food self-sufficiency.
Yes, diets would have to shift — more seasonality, fewer bananas and avocados — and infrastructure like slaughterhouses, storage hubs, and processors would need investment.
But Vermont could absolutely grow the majority of its own food if it wanted to.
In technology, the story is even clearer.
Small countries like Estonia — with a population of 1.3 million — built world-class tech infrastructure on less budget than Vermont spends on tech outsourcing today.
Estonia now runs digital elections, e-health records, tax filings, and more through local, secure, internally managed systems.
Vermont graduates talented software engineers every year at UVM, Norwich, and Champlain College.
But without local opportunities, they leave — taking their talents to Boston, New York, or Silicon Valley.
Why It Hasn’t Happened
The reason Vermont hasn’t built food and tech independence isn’t lack of ability.
It’s lack of will.
- It’s politically easier to outsource and hope for the best.
- It’s safer to pick vendors who have built systems elsewhere.
- It’s faster to import than to build.
- It’s more comfortable to talk about sustainability than to do the hard work of creating it.
Changing course would require multi-year commitment:
- Major procurement reforms to prioritize local companies.
- Strategic investments in tech hubs, food processing, and training.
- A leadership willing to weather early failures for long-term wins.
Vermont’s Choice
At its core, the choice facing Vermont is simple:
Continue importing its food and future — or build them at home.
Right now, Vermont is trading its independence for convenience, its prosperity for expedience, and its resilience for short-term ease.
The opportunity is still there.
The question is whether anyone in Montpelier — or beyond — is willing to seize it.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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