In the richest country in the history of the world, no one should go hungry — ever. Sadly, too many of our friends and neighbors — including thousands of children and older Vermonters — are hungry. As the state begins to reopen and recover, and schools close for the summer, I want to make sure everyone knows that help is still available and must remain so until no Vermonter goes to bed hungry. 

Read on to learn about the programs available this summer and throughout the year. For information on all of Vermont’s nutrition assistance programs and to find local food shelves, call 2-1-1. If you need help with any of these programs, do not hesitate to call my office at 802-862-0697 and a member of my staff will be happy to help.

Summer Meals Program

Many children rely on the free, nutritious meals provided through their schools during the academic year. When students no longer have access to school meals, hunger can skyrocket, affecting tens of thousands of Vermont children. Thanks to the federally-funded Summer Meals Program, free meals are still provided during the summer months to children 18 and under at locations throughout Vermont. To find locations of meal program sites near you, text "FOOD" to 877-877 or call 2-1-1. You can also find meal locations using the USDA site finder here.

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program is a supplemental food purchasing program to help families make up for missed free meals at school. P-EBT was created through COVID-19 relief legislation in the spring of 2020 and has been extended through summer 2021. The program provides households with an EBT card with money equal to the free school breakfast and lunch reimbursement rates. The benefit can be used to buy eligible foods anywhere 3SquaresVT is accepted. Vermont families who qualify have received two payments so far, with the third payment expected to be disbursed in July. If your household is eligible for the extended summer P-EBT benefits, you will receive a letter from Vermont DCF with more information. Find a FAQ sheet on the program here.

If your financial situation has changed and you believe you are newly eligible for P-EBT, you can contact your child’s school to fill out the "Free & Reduced School Meals" application. This will determine your eligibility for the summer P-EBT benefit. For help completing the application or to download a paper application visit this site.

For more information about the P-EBT program call 1-800-479-6151, option 7.

Food Box Distributions

The Vermont Foodbank has launched their new food box distribution program, "Full Plates VT." The program is running June through September and will provide free boxes of fresh produce, frozen meat or fish, and shelf-stable items at drive-through locations throughout Vermont. Individuals and families must register to receive a box. To see if you qualify based on income requirements, and to find a location near you, visit: http://www.vtfoodbank.org/gethelp or call 833-670-2254. The Vermont Foodbank will continue to add new dates and locations throughout the summer.

Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

The WIC program provides healthy food, nutrition education, and health services to over 7 million women, infants and children every year, including 12,000 Vermonters. If you are a parent or guardian of a child under 5 or if you are pregnant, WIC may be able to help you put food on the table. Now through September, WIC participants will be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/children-youth-families/wic/apply or call 1-800-464-4343. You can also text "VTWIC" to 855-11.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/3SquaresVT)

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known in Vermont as 3SquaresVT, is the most important and effective program for combatting hunger and getting Vermonters the reliable food help they need. The American Rescue Package temporarily increased 3SquaresVT benefits by 15%, providing a little extra help to Vermonters. Those on the program receive an EBT card, which is used like a debit card, to help purchase food each month. Importantly, signing up doesn’t take benefits away from others and doing so helps the local economy.

To learn more and apply visit, https://dcf.vermont.gov/mybenefits or call 1-800-479-6151. If you need help with your application, call 2-1-1 or text "VFBSNAP" to 855-11. If you are 60 or older, call the Senior Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 for personalized assistance. Find more information here: https://vermontfoodhelp.com/.

Many farmers markets and farm stands accept 3SquaresVT. Find a full list of markets here and farm stands here. Additional coupons also exist to help purchase food at farmers markets.

• Crop Cash coupons: Provides Vermonters currently receiving 3SquaresVT funds to turn $10 of their 3SquaresVT into $20 in food every time they visit the farmers market. It’s a double coupon for fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, seeds, and starts.
• Farm to Family coupons: Qualifying households may receive $30 in Farm to Family coupons that can be used to buy locally-grown, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut herbs at participating farmers markets and farm stands.

Meals on Wheels Program

The Meals on Wheels program is a critically important meal delivery program that helps thousands of older Vermonters stay healthy and in their homes. During such a difficult and isolating year, this program was vital to so many people throughout our state who relied on the nutritious meals, as well as the COVID-safe social interaction provided by the volunteer delivery drivers. Vermont Meals on Wheels programs reported a 30% rise in demand during the pandemic, and delivered nearly 1 million meals to Vermonters in 2020. To sign up for Meals on Wheels, contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-642-5119.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is also critically important in addressing hunger. CSFP provides older adults with a box of staple foods each month, which can be picked up at a local food shelf. To sign up for CSFP, visit: https://www.vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp or call the Vermont Foodbank at 1-800-214-4648. To learn about other food assistance programs available to older Vermonters, visit: https://www.vermont4a.org/meals-nutrition.

As we work to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, I know that unfortunately, many of our people are still struggling. We must learn from the successes and failures of this past year and redouble our efforts to address the growing hunger crisis in our country. We cannot go backwards. Now is the time to expand federal nutrition programs and make it easier for individuals and families to access the food they need.