Caroline Bright

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?

State government has a responsibility to ensure that Vermonters can meet their basic needs, and access to nourishing food is fundamental to the health and well-being of our families and communities. At a time when federal cuts threaten programs like 3SquaresVT, Vermont must work to protect access to food while recognizing the significant pressures already facing taxpayers and the state budget.

I believe our best solutions strengthen the entire local food system. That means reducing barriers to accessing existing programs, supporting schools and community organizations that help families facing food insecurity, and investing in programs that allow Vermonters to purchase food directly from local producers. When public dollars spent addressing hunger also support Vermont farmers and keep more money circulating in our communities, we create solutions that address immediate needs while building a stronger, more resilient Vermont economy.

What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?

My priorities would focus on strengthening the connections between food security, affordability, and the viability of Vermont’s farms. I support protecting Universal School Meals and programs like Crop Cash, Farm Share, and Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, which help families access nourishing food while directing public investment toward local producers.

I would also prioritize making existing food assistance programs easier to access, strengthening partnerships with schools and community organizations that are already trusted by families, and supporting policies that address the underlying economic pressures driving food insecurity, including housing, childcare, healthcare, and energy costs.

Ultimately, I believe our investments should do more than respond to hunger in the moment. We should build a resilient local food system in which Vermont families can afford the food they need, farmers can earn a sustainable living, and more of the money we invest in food security stays within and strengthens Vermont communities.

What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?

Hunger is fundamentally an affordability issue. When the cost of housing, childcare, healthcare, utilities, and transportation consumes too much of a household’s income, food becomes one of the few expenses families can reduce in the short term. Addressing hunger therefore requires both strong food assistance programs and action on the broader cost-of-living crisis.

The state must work to increase housing supply, make childcare and healthcare more affordable, address Vermont’s high property tax burden, support good-paying jobs, and ensure that assistance programs are accessible to the people who need them. We should also recognize the particular challenges of rural communities, where transportation barriers and limited access to grocery stores can compound food insecurity.

Ultimately, reducing hunger means building an economy in which working families, older Vermonters, and people experiencing hardship can afford their basic needs without having to choose between groceries, medication, heat, or housing.

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?

Supporting Vermont agriculture means recognizing that farms are not only part of our heritage and food system; they are also small businesses operating in an increasingly difficult economic environment. I would prioritize policies that help farms remain financially viable, including expanding access to local and institutional markets, supporting programs that connect food assistance dollars with Vermont producers, and reducing unnecessary administrative barriers.

We must also address the broader challenges affecting our agricultural workforce and economy. Farmers need access to affordable housing, childcare, healthcare, and reliable infrastructure just like other Vermont workers and small business owners. Protecting working lands and improving access to land for the next generation of farmers are also critical to the long-term future of agriculture.

Ultimately, Vermont cannot preserve its agricultural identity simply by celebrating it. We must create an economy in which farming is a sustainable livelihood and Vermont farms can continue feeding and strengthening our communities.