3SquaresVT is the most effective anti-hunger program in the country, and our state, with approximately 40,000 Vermont households currently enrolled. It provides money to purchase food from retailers, grocery stores, and farmers markets. 3SquaresVT works alongside other food resources like WIC, CSFP, the Vermont Foodbank’s statewide network of food shelf partners, and more to increase access to food in Vermont. Each year, 3SquaresVT brings $155 million federal dollars into our state’s economy.

On 3SquaresVT Awareness Day, a diversity of stakeholders including people who receive benefits, farmers, and food security advocates shared their personal and professional experiences with legislative committees. Participants connected with their local representatives to share information about 3SquaresVT and other food access programs, incentives, and options that help people living in Vermont keep food on the table.

One advocate, Zoe, testified to the House Human Services Committee sharing part of her story and why 3SquaresVT matters to her. “I am a ninth-generation Vermonter…and I grew up on my family’s dairy farm. I am the Vice-Chair of the East Montpelier select-board, and a commissioner on the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission…I am also disabled and a…[3SquaresVT] recipient. Thanks to 3SquaresVT and Capstone [a Food Shelf in Central VT], I’ve been able to eat three meals a day for the first time in my adult life…These programs literally make my survival possible.”

Zoe and other advocates shared personal accounts about food security and the importance of 3SquaresVT in their life, to their families, and in their community. They asked legislators to support the following policy priorities:

1. Pass legislation to instruct the State to opt into the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program and appropriate $75,000 to cover restaurant startup costs, and $100,000 for a staff position within DCF to administer the program.
2. Support the request for $5 million in base and one-time funding in the FY26 budget for the Vermont Foodbank to be prepared when disasters strike our neighbors in towns across Vermont, to purchase and distribute food, and support the network of community-based food shelves and meal sites.
3. Support $500,000 in base funding to strengthen Vermont farms and food security by sustaining two proven programs run by NOFA-VT (the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont): CROP CASH (PLUS) and FARM SHARE.
4. Include an additional $2 million in base general funding for home-delivered meals for older and disabled Vermonters through the “Meals on Wheels” programs operated through Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging, including the option to draw down additional matching funds through the global commitment investment.

Amy Scott, food shelf manager at BROC Community Action shared, “When I was hired at BROC Community Food Shelf in 2021, 3SquaresVT [benefit levels for individuals] was fully funded. This allowed participants to shop at grocery stores for most of the month without having to use food shelves as often. In April 2023 3SquaresVT [benefit levels] was cut back to pre-pandemic levels. Currently, my shelves are the barest they have been in my experience. Due to shockingly high food prices, we are seeing growing food insecurity.”

Ensuring everyone in Vermont has access to the food they need and want takes an energized and passionate statewide community. This passionate community came to the legislature on February 6 to make 3SquaresVT Awareness Day possible. Our team at Vermont Foodbank is grateful and inspired to have seen the group of advocates that showed up and spoke out to spread awareness!

Here are some ways you can engage in advocacy for food security in Vermont:

1. Read and listen to a news article published by WCAX.
2. Watch SNAP Awareness Day Testimony:
   • Senate Health & Welfare Committee testimony
   • Senate Agriculture Committee testimony
   • Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee testimony
   • Senate Government Operations Committee testimony
   • House Committee on Human Services Committee testimony
   • House Agriculture, Food Resilience, and Forestry Committee testimony
   • House Commerce & Economic Development Committee testimony
   • House Government Operations Committee testimony
3. Share your story on this webform to share how 3SqauresVT benefits and other food access programs impact your life or share your suggested improvements.
4. Contact our 3SquaresVT team at Vermont Foodbank if you would like to learn more about 3SquaresVT benefits or would like help applying. Call us at (855) 855-6181, text VFBSNAP to 85511, or email 3svt@vtfoodbank.org.

To stay engaged with Vermont Foodbank’s advocacy work, please sign up for our advocacy alerts. We send emails detailing advocacy updates during the legislative session and highlighting opportunities to engage.