Lance Mills
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Orange-2 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?
Free school breakfast and free school lunch is a great start. Buying food from local farmers in Vermont for free breakfast and luch is another step. It's unfortunate the current federal government pus rich corporations ahead of working class people, and Vermont should try to pick up that slack by offering food benefits, and by buying from Vermont farmers whenever possible.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
I am a retired teacher and I know the value of free breakfast and free lunch for students. I support any initiatives that help make that continue and any initiative that will help feed people and help Vermont farmers.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
Low wages, high housing costs, and high health care costs put Vermonters in a bind. When Vermonters are forced to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and cutting back on food, they will choose the roof and hope for the best with food. We heed to lower costs and/or provide assistance to working class Vermonters who struggle to mee their everyday needs.
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 love to learn more about ways to help Vermont farmers. They're the ones who understand what they need. I sat in on a Zoom meeting with some Vermont farmers a few weeks ago and need to follow up on that.