BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Anti-hunger advocates say Vermont’s nutritional safety net needs to be updated.
Vermont’s federally funded anti-hunger program Three Squares VT provides resources for over 40,000 Vermonters. Pandemic funding has largely run dry, and advocates say SNAP’s benefit formula has not kept up with increased demand or inflation.
The Vermont Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and NOFA Vermont are asking state lawmakers for $7.5 million to increase food security.
Two Addison County senators have introduced bills that recalculate the eligibility formula for people seeking benefits and allow for people to use EBT cards at participating restaurants.
“It is possible for government to ensure food security for all. We have the policy tools and we can make the policy choices to make that happen,” said Hunger Free Vermont Executive Director Anore Horton.
Vermont had to recently opt out of a new summer EBT program, in part because the state IT systems were not up to snuff. Leaders say they are hoping to accommodate the program in the summer of 2025.