Anthony "Tony" Micklus
Republican Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Chittenden-Franklin District
What do you believe is the role of state government, if any, in ensuring that everyone living in Vermont has the food they need to thrive?
To Educate the people on making good nutritious food decisions and to create opportunities for local farms to provide food to people directly.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
I would love to see a system where families have the ability to buy local produce. I was excited to hear about Crop Cash and Crop Cash Plus. Those programs should be expanded and more people should know about them.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
The cost of living is a big factor. So making housing, utilities, transpiration and healthcare more affordable would help. Education is key. Many people don't know how to shop for food or what to buy. Things like unit pricing, buying in bulk, not going with name brands etc. This can go a long way toward making a family's food budget stretch.
How would you help strengthen the state’s agriculture and food economy to ensure Vermont farms can continue to grow the food we all need?
We already have many programs that do just that. Working Lands which helps farmers buy equipment and storage facilities among many other things.
Vermont Farm & Forest Viability Program which helps farmers look at their business and see where the weaknesses are. We have tons of programs just nobody knows about them.