REVIEW: Vermonters Feeding Vermonters (H.167 / Act 34)

Act 34, enacted by the Vermont General Assembly and signed into law on May 27, 2025, establishes the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant Program within the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The legislation aims to address food insecurity by supporting the purchase and distribution of local food through the Vermont Foodbank.

The Details:

Findings: The act recognizes increased food insecurity in Vermont, the health benefits of access to produce, and the economic impact of local food purchases (contributing $0.60 per dollar to the local economy). Since 2018, the Vermont Foodbank’s program has invested $9.5 million in Vermont’s agricultural economy, purchasing over 7.7 million pounds of local food and supporting 299 farms in 2024.
Program Establishment: The program provides grants to the Vermont Foodbank to:
- Purchase local food directly from Vermont farms for distribution through its channels.
- Offer subgrants to network partners to buy a variety of agricultural products from local farms, prioritizing culturally preferred foods and local relationships.
Reporting Requirements: The Vermont Foodbank must submit an annual report by March 1 to the House and Senate agriculture committees, detailing the amount of food purchased, the number of farms involved, distribution sites, and farm shares (if applicable), while protecting the privacy of individuals and businesses.
Funding Contingency: Implementation is contingent on a General Fund appropriation in fiscal year 2026.
Effective Date: The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

The Good:

Addresses Food Insecurity: Supports the distribution of local, nutritious food to food-insecure Vermonters, improving health outcomes.
Boosts Local Economy: Strengthens Vermont’s agricultural sector by channeling funds to local farms, with a documented economic multiplier effect ($0.60 per dollar spent).
Sustains Existing Program: Formalizes and ensures the continuation of the successful Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Program.
Promotes Cultural Sensitivity: Subgrants prioritize culturally preferred foods, enhancing inclusivity for diverse communities.
Supports Small Farms: Encourages purchases from farms of all sizes, fostering agricultural diversity and resilience.

The Bad:

Funding Uncertainty: The program’s implementation depends on a future appropriation in fiscal year 2026, which is not guaranteed, potentially delaying or limiting its impact.
Administrative Burden: Annual reporting requirements may strain the Vermont Foodbank’s resources, particularly for smaller organizations within its network.
Limited Scope: The program focuses solely on the Vermont Foodbank and its partners, potentially overlooking other food distribution entities that could contribute to the initiative.
Potential Cost Inefficiencies: Purchasing local food may be more expensive than non-local alternatives, which could limit the volume of food distributed per dollar spent.
Scalability Challenges: The program’s reliance on local farms may face supply constraints, especially during off-seasons, potentially affecting consistent food distribution.

Analysis:

This legislation balances social, economic, and agricultural goals but hinges on securing adequate funding to achieve its objectives effectively. It relies on state funding in FY2026 and beyond in order to sustain the program. There is an excellent overview of how this program works on the Vermont Foodbank website.

The current funding for the program is $500K, which only partially replaces the $1.7M in lost funding from cuts to USDA grants used for similar purposes.

Current Status:

The bill was singed into law by Governor Scott on May 27, 2025.

Vermonters Feeding Vermonters (H.167 / Act 34) - Overview & Analysis

The Details:

The Good:

The Bad:

Analysis:

Current Status:

News coverage on H.167

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