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.

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, or protect federal food security programs! 

What’s happening now?

Congress is moving forward with a dangerous plan that threatens the health and well-being of Vermonters and millions of people across the country. Right now, lawmakers are considering deep cuts to nutrition and healthcare programs, which would disproportionately harm children, older adults, people with disabilities, and working families, while stripping tens of millions of dollars from Vermont’s economy and weakening our local food system.

This is not a done deal. There is a long road ahead for the House and Senate to reconcile their visions. Remember, both chambers need to pass identical bills, and there is not strong support in either the House or the Senate for these proposed cuts to SNAP. There is still time to act—and your voice matters.

Right now, most programs continue to operate as usual, and we encourage you to check back often for updates, as we anticipate important opportunities to protect federal nutrition programs from efforts among members in Congress eager to make dangerous cuts and policy changes.

What we are hearing from Vermont's Congressional Delegation is the importance of individual stories—they know how important federal nutrition programs are, but need to hear from YOU about what these programs mean to you, and the impact they have on you and your communities. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your feedback in our form below.

  • We did this! Our Northeast SNAP Day of Action in April, along with national efforts over the spring, advocates had a huge influence on the final bill. Though the contents of the House-passed bill (on May 22), the incredibly close vote (215–214) shows that our voices were heard, and influenced House lawmakers.

  • We’ve done, and continue to do this. The House-passed Reconciliation Bill is deeply harmful, and we are raising our voices to point to exactly why. For a more thorough analysis of why the bill is harmful to SNAP, click here.

  • This is where we’re at! We’re working in VT and across states to build bipartisan concern by emphasizing the flaws in the House bill & how the House-passed bill would hurt families. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

  • As House and Senate leaders negotiate a final reconciliation package, ramp up pressure on moderate lawmakers in both chambers to stop the most damaging provisions — or defeat the bill entirely.

Tracking Our Progress: 

It can be hard to keep up with where things are in Congress. To make it easier, we’re going to keep this timeline updated (thanks to our partners at CBPP for this framework). 

Last updated: June 4, 2025

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.