Jeanne Albert

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?

Vermont has the responsibility to ensure that everyone living here has nutritious food-- for themselves and anyone under their care.

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

If elected I would be proud to support all of the examples listed. In addition (if it doesn't already exist) I would promote establishing a cabinet-level position (or part of a position) whose role includes continual monitoring of food security throughout the state and distributed rapid response programs for critical risk periods, such as during/after extreme weather events or disease outbreaks.

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

I believe the root causes of hunger are a combination of poverty and lack of locally available nutritious food. Both of these factors are themselves driven and/or exacerbated by lack of housing, lack of health care, and racism.

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?

The state can provide direct support to Vermont farms through grants, favorable-term loans, and assistance after floods and other calamities. We can also expand funding for CTE and college agriculture and farm product development programs.