February 5th, 2026 was 3SquaresVT Day in the State House in Montpelier. Advocates showed up to share their experiences and perspectives with legislators in the House and the Senate so they can better understand the importance and impact of food security programs and 3SquaresVT on the experiences of people living in Vermont.
Here are links to all 3SquaresVT Day committee hearings where food security advocates shared their perspectives with legislators:
- Senate Agriculture Committee testimony by advocates: Johanna Doren – NOFA-VT, Jamie Sky Bianco – Ramble Bramble Farm, Seren Dias – Giant Journey Farm, John Sayles – VT Foodbank, Emmet Moseley – CVOEO/Feeding Champlain Valley, Bob Chappelle – Chappelle’s Vermont Potatoes
- House Committee on Human Services testimony by advocates: Ivy Enoch – Hunger Free VT, Katherine LaPrad – community member; the committee also invited members of the Vermont Afghan Alliance to speak on the experiences of their community with 3SquaresVT eligibility changes – Molly Gray and Drukhshan Farshad spoke to the committee
- Senate Health and Welfare Committee testimony by advocates: Julia Burgess – community member, Mariana Lamaison Sears – Hunger Free Vermont
- House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry testimony by advocates: Johanna Doren – NOFA-VT, Stoni Tomson – New Tradition Farm, Mark Montalban – Green Acres Homestead, Emmet Moseley – CVOEO/Feeding Champlain Valley
- House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development testimony by advocates: Ivy Enoch – Hunger Free VT, Mark Bouchette – Vermont Retail & Grocers Association, Mary Mullally – Hunger Mountain Co-op, Jamie Sky Bianco – Ramble Bramble Farm
- House Committee on Government Operations testimony by advocates: John Sayles – Vermont Foodbank, Denise Walton – community member, Stella James – Hardwick Area Food Pantry
- Senate Committee on Government Operations testimony by advocates: Ivy Enoch – Hunger Free VT, Carrie Stahler – Vermont Foodbank, Stella James – Hardwick Area Food Pantry, Johanna Doren – NOFA-VT, Denise Walton – community member
- Representative Jubilee McGill of Bridport recognizes 3SquaresVT Day and welcomes advocates to the Vermont House of Representatives.
The 2026 Legislative Session, and second and final year of the 2025-2026 biennium, came to a close last Friday, May 29. There were a lot of ups, some downs, and many bills passed just before the deadline. We saw an increased awareness of food security, with some surprising champions stepping forward!
Food insecurity is a solvable problem. While the bulk of the Foodbank’s work is distributing nourishing food every day, the team is also working at addressing hunger by advocating for policies that can ultimately end hunger.
It has been a busy few weeks in Montpelier and we've now crossed the mid-point of the Vermont state legislative session, called “crossover” under the golden dome in Montpelier.
