Dee Gish

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 state government has a large role to play to help Vermonters achieve food security.

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

I support universal school meals so that students are fed without stigma and are ready to learn in the classroom. I support the Vermont Farm To School program, Crop Cash (offered at the Norwich Farmer's Market and others), Farm Share, Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, and the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Fund. I also support grassroots efforts lite the Healthy Soils Coalition, the Vermont Community Garden Network and nonprofits such as Regeneration Corps and the Conservation Districts throughout the state. Community nurses should also be supported since they are in touch with people in our community who are hungry but hesitant to ask for help.

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

The root causes of hunger is a result of the widening income and wealth inequality in Vermont, nationally and globally. Too few people have a greater share of wealth and power and the vast majority of people don't have nearly enough. To alleviate inequality, tax systems need to be more progressive with the wealthy paying more to support needed programs like food assistance, healthcare, housing and education. If taxes were more affordable for working people, and people had access to universal primary care and mental health services, the prevalence of hunger would certainly diminish. In addition, local food should be prioritized in school lunch programs and government cafeterias. Food sovereignty should be taught and encouraged to gain local control over food, land, seeds and provide the self-determination and ability of everyone to grow food, enhance the soil and save seeds.

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?

I would support an increase in the budgetary allocation for the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative as well as supporting vital and grassroots nonprofits such as NOFA-VT, Rural Vermont, and the Center for An Agricultural Economy, the Healthy Soils Coalition and others. State agencies, farmers and foresters should collaborate. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets should work together with VT DEC, ANR and the agriculture nonprofits along with the Connecticut River Watershed Farmer's Alliance, NRCS and the Natural Resources Conservation Districts who work directly with farmers. If agencies worked closely together, it would make it easier for farmers to apply for grants and provide information once for multiple opportunities.