We brought the voices of many in Vermont who value federal nutrition programs like SNAP (called 3SquaresVT here), including the voices of 3SquaresVT participants like this neighbor, who shared, “3SquaresVT takes a lot of stress and pressure off our family each week. My husband and I both work and we have three young kids. Food is a huge part of our budget. 3SquaresVT gives us a little extra help where we really need it. We love to use it at our farmers market. It helps us eat healthier and buy local.”

Conference attendees in Washington, D.C., heard from House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and leaders from across the country at an inspiring opening plenary. Our Vermont group then attended a broad variety of sessions hearing from neighbors, nonprofit and governmental leaders, and food and economic security advocates from around the country about critical nutrition efforts, inclusive food access programs, the importance of centering neighbor expertise in anti-hunger efforts, and ways to measure success.

Vermont anti-hunger advocates left with notes, ideas and connections to bring back to our communities and our work.

After the conference concluded, we headed to Capitol Hill to visit our Vermont delegation in their Washington, D.C. offices. Before our meetings, we attended the SNAP Matters Rally in Upper Senate Park facing the United States Capitol Building. We were led by staff from the Food Research and Action Center and speakers included Rep. Jill Tokuda from Hawaii. With our SNAP Matters signs in hand, we made our way to visits with Congresswoman Balint and her staff, Senator Sanders’ staff responsible for food and nutrition programs, and Senator Welch and his staff.

We discussed the current threats to critical federal food programs like SNAP – called 3SquaresVT here – as well as other key food programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and GUSNip, a program that provides matching funds for people who use SNAP at farms or farmers markets.

Thanks to many neighbors, farmers, and partners around Vermont who shared their experiences with us ahead of this trip, we were able to bring more voices with us about the experiences of people in Vermont who could be impacted by any changes to SNAP’s policy or funding structure. Here is some of what was shared and conveyed in our meetings:

From neighbors using 3SquaresVT:

“I received a concussion and was unable to work, as a small business owner working for myself and unable to receive unemployment, this [SNAP] was a HUGE help to feel a bit more secure financially during the healing process. “

From Farmers Markets and Farms:

“This program has made shopping at our market a much more inclusive for local residents who would otherwise be unable to afford to shop at the market. It’s also a huge program for our vendors, about half of whom sell SNAP eligible foods. Not only is 3SquaresVT supporting our customers accessing a well-rounded diet (many of whom share their appreciation every week they’re at the market), but it’s also supporting our local businesses and neighbors – especially our farms. 3SquaresVT helps people eat, connect, and also supports our environment; any reduction in the program would be a devastating loss.”

“We have accepted snap for years and it allows us to grow and sell food for a wider range of folks – giving people who would not other have access to fresh local food the opportunity to shop and eat with us.”

From grocers and food retailers:

“For our retail grocery cooperative in White River Junction, 3SquaresVT is a key component of our efforts to reduce hunger. As a community grocer, we feel it is our responsibility to lower the barriers and costs between people in need and healthful food. Each day, 3SquaresVT helps us do that.”

From community food access organizations offered that with any changes to 3SquaresVT, they would find it more difficult to meet neighbors needs:

“Our small food pantry would be further stressed as we try to meet the needs of families who are receiving less benefits. I would also likely be referred families to other resources for getting enough food for their family along with providing additional monetary incentives that increase food access as available.”

“If 3Squares benefits decrease or become harder for people to qualify it will have a noticeable effect on who much food people will be looking to get at our food shelf.  We are already under tremendous pressure to try and keep enough food stocked to meet client demand.  This will make it much harder.”

Vermont advocates were met with gratitude and support from our federal delegation offices. Our Senators and Congresswoman support SNAP and believe that neighbors experiencing food insecurity need more help, not less. They are focused on finding ways to protect this program. And, it helps them to hear from YOU, their constituents, that this program is worth protecting because people across Vermont value 3SquaresVT. If you are concerned about protecting SNAP and what that means to you, your friends or neighbors, JOIN US in this work by letting our federal delegation’s offices know that you support their work to Protect SNAP and ensure all of us can have the food we need to thrive!

Write or call Vermont’s congressional delegation offices. Tell Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint to continue their good work to protect SNAP. Share your experience with them so they know people in Vermont want 3SquaresVT to continue to support us and our neighbors. Their staff will ask your name and town to verify that you are a Vermont resident.

If you do not live in Vermont, use this link to tell your congresspeople NO CUTS to SNAP!