Hunger Action Center
We all play a role in ending hunger.
Hunger Free Vermont advocates for policies at the local, state, and federal level that ensure everyone living in Vermont can meet their needs and has access to enough food and the right foods for them and their families. Ending hunger requires changing laws and policies that currently make it hard for people to make ends meet or access the food they need.
Our voice alone is not enough. We need you to join us in raising your voices to help eradicate hunger in our state.
Federal Advocacy
Federal policies have a direct impact on Vermonters, and the programs we rely on to meet our basic needs. From SNAP, School Meals, Summer EBT, and other food security programs, decisions made in Washington D.C. shape access to food every day. Stay informed and know when to take action to support, celebrate, and protect federal food security programs!
What’s happening now?
Government Shutdown
The federal government shut down in the early morning on October 1st because the federal government failed to pass an appropriations bill (that annually funds the government) by the end of the night on September 30th.
This is an upsetting reality: our government is responsible for ensuring it remains open and in service to our country, and a government shutdown is a failure of that most basic responsibility.
Federal nutrition programs continue to operate . 3SquaresVT, WIC, and funding for school meals are secure for this month. People should continue to use their benefits as usual! People can also still apply for programs like 3SquaresVT and WIC.
In the event that a shutdown lasts and approaches the next month, we may see a threat to benefits.
We are working closely with state partners and Congressional Delegation staff to stay on top of the most up-to-date information.
USDA Household Food Security Report
The USDA announced that it’s ending one of the most important tools for measuring hunger in the U.S.—the Household Food Security report—just months after Congress passed the largest cuts to SNAP in the program’s history.
Policymakers, advocates, and communities rely on this report to:
Measure progress in reducing hunger;
Evaluate federal nutrition programs like SNAP, WIC, and school meals;
Document the impact of harmful policy changes, like recent cuts to SNAP via the budget reconciliation law; and
Identify communities most at risk of hunger.
The Household Food Security Report has, for nearly three decades, measured food insecurity across the country, and served as an important way to acknowledge and respond to the injustice of hunger that impacts millions in our nation.
Share your story
Tell us how federal changes are impacting you and/or your community . Tracking the impact of these changes and chaotic events are important. Take a few minutes to let us know how this is impacting you, your community, and/or the people you serve.
Advocacy in the Vermont Statehouse
State policies shape food security in Vermont, from making federal programs like school meals work to make sure all students are well-fed to ensuring food security is part of our disaster approach. The decisions made in Montpelier directly impact our communities, and together, we can ensure policies reflect the needs of everyone in Vermont.
SNAP Restaurant Meals Program in Vermont
During the 2025 legislative session, Hunger Free Vermont advocated for the State of Vermont to launch the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in Vermont. The RMP would allow certain 3SquaresVT (known in Vermont as SNAP) recipients to use their benefits at participating local restaurants.
Unfortunately, the legislature decided not to advance the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program bill this legislative session. Hunger Free Vermont remains committed to expanding access to 3SquaresVT and will revisit strategies—including programs like this one—during the 2026 legislative session.
Together, we protected Universal School Meals!
Following Governor Scott’s proposed repeal of Universal School Meals, we collectively sent a resounding message that Vermonters would accept NO cuts to this vital program. The Legislature heard our message loud and clear and voted to continue funding Universal School Meals - a win for Vermont families, schools, and farmers!
We successfully advocated for funding to help improve the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Vermont!
Hunger Free Vermont, together with many partners, helped secure $150,000 in funding from the state legislature for the organizations that support the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This funding will help Family Child Care Homes across Vermont get reimbursed for meals and snacks they provide to children, making sure kids have access to healthy food while in care.
To stay up to date with our advocacy initiatives, sign-up for our Advocacy and Action email list below.
If you are interested in volunteering to help our advocacy efforts in the upcoming legislative session, please send an email to our Legislative Policy Lead, Autumn Moen, at amoen@hungerfreevt.org.