Hunger Action Center
We all play a role in ending hunger.
Hunger Free Vermont advocates for policies at the local, state, and federal level that ensure everyone living in Vermont can meet their needs and has access to enough food and the right foods for them and their families. Ending hunger requires changing laws and policies that make it hard for people to make ends meet or access the food they need.
Our voice alone is not enough, and we need you to join us in raising your voices to help eradicate hunger in our state.
Urgent Action Alert: Protect Vermonters’ Privacy. Protect SNAP Recipients.
SNAP (3SquaresVT) data should only be used to help our neighbors access food. But Governor Scott agreed to give private data to the Trump admin— despite ongoing lawsuits and minimal transparency.
SNAP recipients share personal information with state agencies because they trust it will only be used to help them access food. That trust is grounded in long-standing state and federal laws that strictly limit how this data can be used.
Now the federal government is attempting to bypass those protections--pressuring states to hand over sensitive data for unrelated and undisclosed purposes. This is a clear overreach. It violates both the law and the basic expectations of privacy that millions of families rely on when they apply for SNAP.
The recent federal cuts to SNAP and forced data sharing are about eroding public trust in SNAP—a program we all pay into and have the right to use when we qualify. State leaders have a responsibility not only to refuse to opt in to this harm, but to actively stand up against it.
Use the form below to make a quick call to Governor’s Scott Office and let him know this is unacceptable. You can use this script for when you call:
Call Script:
Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [Town], Vermont. I’m calling today because I’m deeply concerned about Governor Scott’s decision to provide private SNAP/3SquaresVT data to the Trump administration.
This is a clear overreach by the federal government—and it's happening while lawsuits are still underway challenging the legality of this demand. SNAP recipients share their information with the state in good faith, trusting it will be used only to help them get food.
I’m asking you to take a stronger stand: Stand up for Vermonters’ privacy and the programs that keep our communities fed by protecting our privacy against unlawful uses by the federal government.
Thank you.
Federal Advocacy
Federal policies have a direct impact on Vermonters, and the programs we rely on to meet our basic needs. From SNAP, School Meals, Summer EBT, and other food security programs, decisions made in Washington D.C. shape access to food every day. Stay informed and know when to take action to support, celebrate, and protect federal food security programs!
What’s happening now?
The harmful federal megabill that Congressional Republicans and President Trump pushed through in July will impact our communities across Vermont. States, including Vermont, are working now to understand the changes coming down from this federal bill.
Not only will it be harder for Vermonters to afford groceries and access medical care, but the harmful policies in the megabill will have ripple effects that impact our grocery stores, farmers, and state economy as a whole.
So, what’s happening now? We are developing simple resources so Vermonters can understand, as best as possible, what changes may impact their access to SNAP–and when.
We’re also working to understand what our networks need at this moment to continue supporting people in accessing SNAP–which remains one of our most important food security programs in Vermont.
It is important to note that many of these changes won't go into effect right away. As of right now, there are no changes to 3SquaresVT eligibility or benefits. People will continue to get their benefits as they have been. As we receive more information about the impacts of the bill on 3SquaresVT benefits, we will keep you updated here: https://vermontfoodhelp.com/3squaresvt-updates.
Even though the bill passed, your advocacy made a real difference. Thank you to everyone who engaged in our days of action, called their legislators, and made their voices heard. We fought every step of the way, and this bill nearly failed because of it. As damaging as this bill is for communities across the country, our collective advocacy made it as difficult as possible for Congressional Republicans to pass this bill, and were able to force out some of the most harmful proposals.
Appropriations
In addition to the federal megabill that passed in July, Congress must pass an annual spending package before September 30, 2025 – this is “Appropriations.”
Before August recess, the Senate advanced overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation as part of their Appropriations process, which included increased funding for WIC, and safeguarded WIC’s “cash value benefit” that allows WIC participants to buy fruits and vegetables.
We are keeping a close eye on this Appropriations process, including any impacts to benefits programs if the government can’t pass a spending package before the deadline, which would result in a government shutdown.
The fight is not over. In the months ahead, state leaders -- from the Governor to legislators and agency officials, will have critical decisions to make. State leaders can still choose food security -- but will need to act now to ensure this bill doesn’t devastate our communities and neighbors most at risk of hunger. And they’ll need to hear from all of us.
We’ll be here to keep you informed and share ways you can help ensure Vermont does what’s right -- meet people’s basic needs and continue to pass policies for a food secure future.
Share your story
Tell us how proposed federal changes are impacting you and/or your community . Tracking the impact of these changes and chaotic events are important. Take a few minutes to let us know how this is impacting you, your community, and/or the people you serve.
Advocacy in the Vermont Statehouse
State policies shape food security in Vermont, from making federal programs like school meals work to make sure all students are well-fed to ensuring food security is part of our disaster approach. The decisions made in Montpelier directly impact our communities, and together, we can ensure policies reflect the needs of everyone in Vermont.
SNAP Restaurant Meals Program in Vermont
During the 2025 legislative session, Hunger Free Vermont advocated for the State of Vermont to launch the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in Vermont. The RMP would allow certain 3SquaresVT (known in Vermont as SNAP) recipients to use their benefits at participating local restaurants.
Unfortunately, the legislature decided not to advance the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program bill this legislative session. Hunger Free Vermont remains committed to expanding access to 3SquaresVT and will revisit strategies—including programs like this one—during the 2026 legislative session.
Together, we protected Universal School Meals!
Following Governor Scott’s proposed repeal of Universal School Meals, we collectively sent a resounding message that Vermonters would accept NO cuts to this vital program. The Legislature heard our message loud and clear and voted to continue funding Universal School Meals - a win for Vermont families, schools, and farmers!
We successfully advocated for funding to help improve the Child and Adult Care Food Program in Vermont!
Hunger Free Vermont, together with many partners, helped secure $150,000 in funding from the state legislature for the organizations that support the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This funding will help Family Child Care Homes across Vermont get reimbursed for meals and snacks they provide to children, making sure kids have access to healthy food while in care.
To stay up to date with our advocacy initiatives, sign-up for our Advocacy and Action email list below.
If you are interested in volunteering to help our advocacy efforts in the upcoming legislative session, please send an email to our Legislative Policy Lead, Autumn Moen, at amoen@hungerfreevt.org.