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 make it hard for people to make ends meet or access the food they need.
Our voice alone is not enough, and 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, or protect federal food security programs!
What’s happening now?
Last week, Congressional Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill. While we are still reviewing all the details, one thing is clear: this bill will cause serious harm to every one of our communities.
The cruel budget bill includes deep cuts and harmful changes to Medicaid, SNAP, and other vital programs that thousands of us in Vermont depend on. These are not just numbers on a page - this is a policy choice that will mean more people going hungry and fewer people getting access to the medical care that they need.
It is important to note that many of these changes won't go into effect right away. As of right now, there are no changes to 3SquaresVT eligibility or benefits. People will continue to get their benefits as they have been. As we receive more information about the impacts of the bill on 3SquaresVT benefits, we will keep you updated here: https://vermontfoodhelp.com/3squaresvt-updates.
Even though the bill passed, your advocacy made a real difference.
Thank you to everyone who engaged in our days of action, called their legislators, and made their voices heard. We fought every step of the way, and this bill nearly failed because of it. As damaging as this bill is for communities across the country, our collective advocacy made it as difficult as possible for Congressional Republicans to pass this bill, and were able to force out some of the most harmful proposals.
We also want to thank Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint for continuing to stand strong against these cruel policy changes. We’re grateful for their continued leadership and commitment to all of us in Vermont.
The fight is not over. In the months ahead, state leaders -- from the Governor to legislators and agency officials, will have critical decisions to make. State leaders can still choose food security -- but will need to act now to ensure this bill doesn’t devastate our communities and neighbors most at risk of hunger. And they’ll need to hear from all of us.
We’ll be here to keep you informed and share ways you can help ensure Vermont does what’s right -- meet people’s basic needs and continue to pass policies for a food secure future.
Share your story
Tell us how proposed 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.