Nearly 1 in 3 Vermont households has faced food insecurity since the pandemic began, and households with children are twice as likely to be facing hunger. Lack of healthy food during early childhood is linked to health problems, developmental impairments, social and behavioral problems, and challenges in school. Hunger is related to negative health outcomes resulting in higher health care costs for the state.

The Alliance supports the Vermont Foodbank’s request for a $500,000 state allocation to fund Vermonters Feeding Vermonters (VFV), a program to purchase locally grown, fresh food directly from Vermont farmers and producers to distribute to people facing hunger. This investment from the state would improve the health of adults and children in Vermont, provide financial security to local farmers, and strengthen the Vermont economy. This program can provide long-term benefits for Vermont and is especially critical right now as a key tool addressing the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.

LEAD ORGANIZATION: Vermont Foodbank