David Durfee
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Bennington-3 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?
Making sure that everyone has enough to eat is a fundamental responsibility of any national government. When federal policies aren't sufficient, states should do what they can to alleviate hunger--for children as well as adults.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
Over the past four years, as chair of the House committee with jurisdiction over agriculture and food resiliency, I have had the privilege of working to enact legislation creating and protecting statewide universal school meals, the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters grant program, and the Farm Security Special Fund. Along with supporting budget appropriations for programs like Crop Cash Plus and Farm Share, I would continue to support the creation of and funding for measures like these, along with support for vulnerable Vermonters accessing the federal benefits they are eligible for.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
It is well documented that poverty and hunger are closely linked. Policies such as the child tax credit and earned income tax credit are known to help lift families out of poverty and reduce hunger. Addressing the costs of other basic needs, particularly for working families, is also key to alleviating hunger.
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's farms and farmworkers will continue to be a priority for me. During the last four years, based on the recommendations we made in the House Agriculture Committee, the state strengthened our right-to-farm laws and re-instated the agriculture exemption from municipal regulation. We also established the right of individual Vermonters to grow their own food. We must continue in particular to support sustainable agricultural practices.