Mike Schmitt
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Windsor-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?
State government should ensure that healthy food is available to all. It should not pass laws that inhibit access of food to market and support charitable organizations efforts to supplement food for those in need.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
I fully support responsible programs and potential legislation to ensure food security with emphasis on local farm to market programs.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
Education is a key factor, with the availability of unhealthy fast food and lack of prioritizing healthy food preparation people get their food in the simple and fastest manner. I believe the school system must take a more active role in teaching students and families how to eat.
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?
Vermont is a rural state and agriculture has bee the backbone of our society since the beginning. Responsible legislation needs to be enacted to make farming profitable naturally and not through subsidies that skew farmers behavior to natural practices.