Jonathan Gleason
Republican Candidate for Vermont Senate in the Windsor 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?
The state should endeavor to ensure that ALL Vermonters have food security. This can be accomplished through school programs, food banks, discount programs and other taxpayer funded programs. A Good example is 'Crop Cash' at local farmers' markets. The taxpayer monies stay local: helping people buy nutritious foods and boosting the revenue of local small businesses. A win for everyone.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
Evaluate all the taxpayer funded programs and determine which ones have the highest positive impacts. Then continue to fund those programs and even increase funding as it becomes available.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
Affordability & Opportunity. The cost of housing keeps increasing as well as other basic needs. The job opportunities do not exist as they have in the past. It is increasingly difficult for Vermonters to maintain a lifestyle without financial challenges. The legislature needs to reform business rules and regulation to allow for more job creation.
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 work to repeal Act 181. The government should not dictate land use to rural communities. The farmers utilizing lands for agrarian purposes should be rewarded, not penalized for their efforts. In the past decade Vermont has lost over 50% of it's dairy farms. This is not a positive trajectory. The legislature needs to adopt best practice standards that are agreeable to farmers and sustainable for Vermont.