Hunger in Vermont is a Failure of Federal Leadership
In response to the recent near shutdown of the federal government, Hunger Free Vermont, Vermont Foodbank and Vermont Legal Aid released the following statement on March 17, 2025:
Everyone in Vermont deserves a fair shot at success, and that starts with access to nutritious food. Programs like 3SquaresVT (known nationally as SNAP), school meals and community food shelves ensure that kids can learn, parents can work and families can thrive—no matter their income.
The United States Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown on Friday by passing a long-term Continuing Resolution. Though a Continuing Resolution keeps the government open, the process of bringing the federal government to the brink of a harmful shutdown over partisan politics is no way to govern. This process creates confusion and anxiety for millions of families who rely on food programs.
The result is a bill that does not adequately fund the core functions of our government, limiting its ability to create solutions that are responsive to its citizens’ needs.
Statewide partners Hunger Free Vermont, Vermont Foodbank and Vermont Legal Aid see this outcome as a failure of leadership that shortchanges the American people. A Continuing Resolution keeps the government running but freezes funding at last year’s levels, or “flat funded,” meaning critical programs like SNAP and school meals don’t get the expected annual increases needed to keep up with rising costs. While these programs will continue, their benefits won’t stretch as far, leaving tens of thousands of Vermonters struggling to afford enough food.
“A flat-funded budget does not account for inflation or the rising cost of food, meaning our neighbors and communities will not see improvements to programs that help put food on the table—despite the clear need for them,” said Anore Horton, executive director at Hunger Free Vermont. “Most people do not want cuts to food programs, Medicaid or Medicare to pay for tax cuts that will mostly go to the wealthiest 5%, and this Continuing Resolution is actually a tactic to cut these programs, and many others, without honest and public debate.”
John Sayles, CEO of Vermont Foodbank, said, "The food made available in Vermont through federal nutrition programs dwarfs that of our local food shelves, meal sites and Vermont Foodbank direct distributions. In fact, for every meal a food bank provides nationally, SNAP provides nine meals. By continuing federal funding at 2024 levels, benefit levels for programs like 3SquaresVT (SNAP) will not keep up with rising food prices, which will further increase the demand for charitable food. The demand at Vermont Foodbank’s community partners is already exceeding supply. We need federal food programs to be strong and funded at levels that meet the current needs. A well-fed Vermont is a productive and prosperous Vermont.”
The strength of SNAP, WIC, school meals and other federal nutrition programs depend on a federal government that values its role in reducing hunger, supporting hard-working people and stimulating our state economy. This Continuing Resolution does not reflect those values, and some members of Congress and the administration are recommending additional restrictions and cuts that will undermine these critical programs even more.
These actions will harm us all.
For example, while 10% of Vermont’s population is directly enrolled in 3SquaresVT (SNAP)—with most participants being children, older adults and people with disabilities—our entire community and economy benefit. Each year, $155 million in federal SNAP benefits flow into Vermont’s economy, supporting retailers, farms and farm stands.
"Making programs like SNAP more restrictive would only hurt Vermonters. Each new procedural hurdle imposed by federal lawmakers causes unnecessary interruptions in benefits, stress for families and more work for the state employees administering these programs," said Olivia Graffeo-Cohen, staff attorney at Vermont Legal Aid.
Congress has a responsibility to all of us, including producing a bipartisan budget with policies that ensure every person has the opportunity to thrive. As a nation, we have the resources to ensure food security for all—now we just need our leaders to have the political will to do it. The 650,000 people in Vermont, and the millions of people across the country, are counting on it.
Our organizations are committed to continuing to do what we’ve always done: Work every day to protect the programs that support food security for people in Vermont. For the latest updates on SNAP and other federal nutrition programs, including ways to take action to support these programs, visit Hunger Free Vermont’s Hunger Action Center. For folks who need immediate assistance, call 2-1-1 or visit Vermont Foodbank’s website.
About Hunger Free Vermont: Hunger Free Vermont is the statewide nonprofit organization that advocates and educates to bring a permanent end to hunger in Vermont through systemic change, universal strategies, and community collaboration. Since 1993, Hunger Free Vermont’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net. We work to expand access to the federal programs that provide nutritious foods for school, childcare, summer and afterschool meals, and to expand access to 3SquaresVT (known nationally as SNAP), which provides healthy food for Vermonters at home. www.hungerfreevt.org
About Vermont Foodbank: Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically and Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the food they need. Last year, Vermont Foodbank provided 14.5 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. Learn more at www.vtfoodbank.org.
About Vermont Legal Aid: Vermont Legal Aid provides direct civil legal services through 13 broad projects that serve every county in Vermont. VLA advocates on behalf of vulnerable Vermonters to address systemic and institutional problems that impact their lives. Our services are free. Learn how to ask us for legal help at www.vtlegalaid.org/about-vla/get-help.