Michelle Bos-Lun
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Windham-3 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 government can and should have a key role in supporting both providers of food (our farmers and other food producers) and in supporting those who are food insecure to get access to nutritious food: both fresh and shelf-stable. This can and should happen in many ways, one of which is through programs like Vermonters Feeding Vermonters where farmers have a guaranteed market and food insecure individuals and families get access to fresh, local produce, milk and meat. The state must do better at funding both farmers and food programs to meet the needs in our state.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
I hope to serve again on the House Committee with jurisdiction over food matters. It would be my intention to support, with my colleagues as a priority the programs that provide double benefit: both farmers and individuals who are food insecure. This would include Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, Crop Cash and other programs that help both farmers and eaters. I voted with my committee to support the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund last year and will do so in the future. Without a safety net for our farmers we will lose farms and we need to do all we can to support food growers / producers.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
Poverty is a key issue as is the high cost of housing. The state needs to raise taxes on the highest 1% of earners in Vermont to help meet these and other 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 continue ot advocate as I have for the past two years and before, for programs which support farmers: Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, Farm Security Fund and more. I very much want to serve on Ag, Food Resiliency and Forestry again to continue my work supporting agriculture and food access