Dave Skinner
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Grand Isle-Chittenden 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?
I believe that access to safe and accessible food is a basic human right and should be protected at every level of government. At a time when the Federal government is making cuts, the State Government needs to be there for its constituents. Protecting the programs we already have in place, as well as doing everything we can to help local food banks have to be a priority at the very least.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
The number one priority is making sure the programs we have in place make sense, are getting the resources they need, and are being used to their fullest potential. After this assessment, it's time to see which members of our community are falling through the cracks and then create programs to ensure everyone is covered.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
There are many causes of hunger, but at the end of the day it's the financial burden that more Vermonters are experiencing. No one should have to choose between going to the doctor and putting food on the table. We as a state need to look at the ever-rising cost of healthcare in the state of Vermont. It's getting harder to recover from financial hardships, and if your solution is to skip meals to save money, it's going to make it even more difficult.
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?
Strengthening our local farms starts with affordability. How will our farms find the workforce they need when workers cannot afford to live near the farms that need help? Not unlike many other issues our state is facing, affordable housing and basic infrastructure can help provide the workforce needed to stay competitive in the market and contribute to our local rural communities.
Also, let’s listen to our farmers—not politicians, lobbyists, or political parties. Farmers have the experience and are doing the hard work, so let’s listen to their needs and work with them.