By John Sayles and Anore Horton
Editor’s note: Authors John Sayles, from Montpelier, represents the Vermont Foodbank, and Anore Horton, Williston, represents Hunger Free Vermont.
A recent U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report on food insecurity and hunger reinforces what so many people in Vermont already know and are experiencing firsthand — affording food for ourselves and our families is becoming much harder.
But for others that reality goes unseen. This Thanksgiving week, all Vermonters — regardless of wealth status — should consider the reality of fellow Vermonters who struggle and what we might do to produce meaningful change to that reality.
The national report outlines a 40% increase in food insecurity across the U.S. from 2021 to 2022, further reinforcing Census data showing the largest-ever one-year increase in poverty.
This drastic and inhumane increase in hunger and poverty makes the following clear: When the federal government chooses inaction by rolling back essential programs, it has devastating impacts on too many of our neighbors.
Advocates and service providers across the state have been talking with community members and are continuously hearing about the struggle to keep food on the table each and every day, week, or month.
Increasing food prices and the rolling back of essential anti-poverty programs, like the Child Tax Credit and increased 3SquaresVT benefit amounts, disproportionately impact those who are not adequately supported by systems built to improve access to basic needs like stable housing, enough nourishing food, and economic security.
The USDA report highlights that in 2022, food insecurity for households that were American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, or multiracial was more than double the rate for white households.
In a statement released by the USDA, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated, “These findings are unacceptable, yet the report is the latest piece of evidence that as the pandemic began to wane in 2022, another public health concern — food insecurity — increased. The experience of the pandemic showed us that when the government invests in meaningful support for families, we can make a positive impact on food security, even during challenging economic times.”
We could not agree more. We are heartened to know that national leaders like Vilsack are sounding the alarm and pushing for change.
In Vermont, when the state or federal government invests in meaningful support, there is a positive impact on food security. And when neighbors are struggling, we must act.
Recent investments by our state — including a new child care law, Act 76, the Vermont Child Tax credit, and Universal School Meals — will have a positive impact. We all must continue this longer-term policy and systems work in order to solve hunger.
We must also make sure everyone in Vermont has access to nourishing food they need and want today. The Vermont Foodbank, Hunger Free Vermont and our partners across the state are working to meet those needs each day, and we look forward to working with the administration and the Legislature to address longer-term systemic challenges.
Join the Vermont Foodbank, Hunger Free Vermont and our partners, community members and legislators for an End Hunger virtual briefing on Nov. 29 from 10-11 a.m. for an update on the status of hunger in Vermont.
For more information or to join in the conversation, visit: Hungerfreevt.org/end-hunger-briefing.
