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. Together with partners, community members, and donors like you, this small but steady effort is making our collective future more food secure.
For a household, hunger is an emergency. Ready access to food is critical for families and individuals experiencing hunger.
For a state and nation, addressing hunger is a policy issue. The root causes of food insecurity include social, economic, and structural factors—that can be changed.
Thanks to your support, Vermont Foodbank has a staff member who focuses on policy and public funding. Advocacy supports immediate food assistance for households facing hunger, as well as state- and national-level solutions that could help end hunger for good.
That staff member, Carrie, collaborates with organizations addressing hunger and poverty to put forward policy solutions. She works with the Foodbank’s network of food shelves, meal sites, schools, and hospitals to bring their expertise forward.
Carrie also facilitates trainings and logistics so constituents with lived experience of food insecurity can share their perspectives directly with their elected officials. “The State House belongs to all of us,” Carrie said at the start of a recent tour. “It might seem like an intimidating place, but today we’ll get familiar with the building and the legislative process.”
Denise has shared her personal experience with hunger and as a food shelf volunteer with Vermont legislators this year, and offered this reflection:
“Everything was well organized, executed, I was made to feel welcome, comfortable and supported by the Vermont Foodbank team and MANY other organizations…Knowledge is power and I learned A LOT today. I am proud to be an ADVOCATE for food security in the STATE of VERMONT.”
Denise, Carrie, and other community members are ensuring that when policy decisions about food security are on the table, lawmakers understand what they’re deciding on and who will be impacted.
In addition to speaking up for 3SquaresVT—and other effective anti-poverty programs—the Foodbank is seeking state funding to purchase from local farms, build capacity for disaster response, and bolster network partners’ efforts to feed neighbors statewide.
Together with donors like you, we’re making sure neighbors have enough nourishing food today, while working toward a food-secure Vermont. Thank you for helping grow a stronger community and a state where everyone has what they need to thrive.
For Bethel Area Food Shelf, a local partnership that redirects fresh groceries to neighbors facing hunger has helped address rising community need. Now, they’re thinking creatively toward long-term food security.
Eight food access partners recently met to discuss their growth over the past year. This cohort has collaborated, shared learnings, and invested in their organizations’ capacity through a Vermont Foodbank grant made possible by your support.
Having been on the receiving end of help himself over the years, Michael, the cook at Mustard Seed in St. Johnsbury is giving back by making sure his neighbors have a nourishing meal and a warm place to chat.
