June Goodband

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 should support dramatic expansion of local food production and distribution to increase climate resiliency and foster strong local economies. Vermont can provide loans, grants, and information sharing so that pioneers in creating a Vermont based food system help create systems that serve everyone in the state. Food production and access needs to be part of any development plan. We should invest in facilities that process and preserve food and develop worker coops that support year around availability of local food. Tax advantages can support stores that offer local food at affordable prices. Restructuring social services and employment services into a Community Care model would create a hub where skills and resources are shared and exchanged, and where people bring both what they have to offer and their needs. By leveraging everyone's skills, abilities, and resources we can make sure we are able to meet everyone's needs.

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

I strongly support Universal School Meals, farm to school programs, and programs that subsidize low income people so they can participate in CSAs. I want to work toward a comprehensive program of local food production and distribution that is central to local economies and increases community resilience. Food is essential and no person is disposable, so government programs must work to make adequate nutrition and abundant food resources available to all.

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

Failed resource distribution systems cause hunger in Vermont. Assuring that everyone is able to meet their basic needs for food, housing, health care and healthy air and water should be the top priority for government. We can start by requiring a livable wage for all workers and implementing Vermont's Universal Health Care Law. The lack of affordable housing infrastructure can be addressed by rehabbing and building housing that is energy efficient and safe, then selling it to low income people with 0% interest. This would make it affordable for people to own modest houses or apartments in coop buildings. Assisting people who want to create intentional communities would foster sharing of resources, expanding local agriculture and employment opportunities, and building strong supportive social connections. It is time to move from a system of exploitation to a system based on cooperation and caring.

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 support developing a network of food processing and preserving facilities and stores that are worker owned and provide ready access affordable locally grown food that is affordable. When most people buy local food, farmers are supported and are able to produce more food and support their families and employees. Supporting development of simple and effective outlet for farm products would save farmers time and energy. and would reduce food waste. Investing in agriculture provides jobs that make a tangible contribution to communities, preserves our working landscape, and increases our resilience in regard to climate change. . State and municipal governments can foster local food production and distribution by purchasing locally produced food for all government functions and by providing education, loans, and grants to farmers and processors.