Summer Food Help is Available Now

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

Right now, a lot of Vermont families are feeling the squeeze of high prices at the grocery store. With school out for the summer, things are even tougher for families struggling to afford food, as kids are no longer getting breakfast and lunch at school. 

The good news is, there are two programs available to help close that gap. Summer Meals feeds kids for free all summer long, while Crop Cash doubles your food dollar at the farmers market. It’s a simple way to feed your family fresh healthy food grown right here in Vermont while also supporting local farmers.

Both programs are easy to use: Summer Meals is open to any child 18 and under and Crop Cash is available for Vermonters who receive 3SquaresVT benefits. Read below for information on how to access these two programs now that school is out, as well as more information on other food and nutrition resources, including programs for older Vermonters and people with disabilities. If you have any questions, please call my office at 802-862-0697 and my staff will be happy to help you find the assistance you need.

In the richest country in the history of the world, none of our people should go hungry — especially our children. We can — and must — do better.

Sincerely,

Summer Meals

Summer Meals feeds Vermont kids when school lets out. There’s no application, no ID and no money needed. Meals are served at libraries, parks, pools, schools and camps. Caregivers can pick up meals for their kids too. To find a site near you, call 2-1-1 or click here for Summer Meals Site List.

Child Care Eligibility: If your child is in childcare, they may be able to get meals and snacks. Ask your provider if they participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or if they offer meals and snacks through a different program. Click here for more information.

Crop Cash

Crop Cash doubles your food benefits at the farmer’s market. Here’s how it works. You spend your 3SquaresVT dollars at a participating market and the program matches them. For every $1 in 3SquaresVT funds you spend, you get $1 in Crop Cash up to $20 every week. That way your $20 in benefits becomes $40 to spend. You can use Crop Cash on fruits, vegetables, herbs and plant starts for your garden. Crop Cash runs from now until April 30, 2027. More than 35 markets across Vermont accept it this summer. See the full list and find one near you at NOFA-VT’s Crop Cash Page

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/3SquaresVT)

3SquaresVT is Vermont’s name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides eligible Vermonters with money every month to buy groceries. It is one of the most important and effective federal nutrition programs combating hunger. Families and individuals receive EBT cards, which look and are used like a debit card, to help purchase food each month at over 600 retailers and more than 40 farmers markets across the state.

To learn more and to apply, visit https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT or call 1-800-479-6151.

Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)

WIC helps income-eligible Vermont residents who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a new baby and/or children under age 5. Parents, grandparents and foster parents may apply for children in their care. Or, if you or your child benefits from Medicaid assistance, Dr. Dynasaur or 3SquaresVT/SNAP, you can join WIC.

WIC provides healthy food for growing families including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, legumes/peanut butter, cereal, juice, infant food and formula. But that’s not the only way WIC is there to help you and your family during those important early years. WIC also has tools and information for parents to raise healthy kids.

To apply, go to https://www.healthvermont.gov/children-youth-families/wic/apply or text Apply to 1-844-839-8942. For more information, call 1-800-464-4343.

Who is eligible for WIC benefits? Pregnant people, new parents, infants and children up to age 5 with a household income that meets the guidelines can enroll in WIC. To read the guidelines, visit: https://www.healthvermont.gov/family/wic/wic-eligibility

Vermont Foodbank and Food Shelves in Vermont

Vermont Foodbank can help to find a food shelf near you, connect with food assistance services and find community resources at over 200 locations throughout the state. To learn more, call the Vermont Foodbank at 1-800-585-2265 or visit their website at https://www.vtfoodbank.org/.

You can call 2-1-1 for information about local food shelves in Vermont.

Nutrition Options for Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels is an essential service for seniors living alone that provides a nutritious meal and a visit from a friendly volunteer who can check in on seniors who may otherwise not have visitors that day, or even that week. The program is successful in large part because of the extraordinary volunteers who deliver meals and serve Vermont seniors regardless of their income. To find information about meal delivery programs for older Vermonters or younger people with disabilities like Meals on Wheels, contact the helpline at 1-800-642-5119 or visit the Meals on Wheels program locator to find the closest meals on wheels program to you at https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals.

Community Meals: Communal meals are served throughout the week at many senior centers and meal sites. Not only do these sites provide nutrition, they also provide important opportunities to socialize, take classes and engage in exercise programs.To find information about senior community meals, contact the helpline at 1-800-642-5119 or your local Area Agency on Aging. 

3SquaresVT in a SNAP: There is a four-page form that eligible older adults and people with disabilities without earned income can complete to receive3SquaresVT and Fuel Assistance benefits for three years with no additional paperwork.To learn more, call the Helpline at 1-800-642-5119 or visit here: https://vermontfoodhelp.com/3squaresvt-in-a-snap.