Robert Plunkett

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 has the resources to direct aid to directly feed Vermonters and also the ability to funnel those resources to local farms to increase production and access to healthy foods. Vermont should capitalize on this and ease the barriers that are in place that limit the availability of these foods.

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

Every one of the examples given [creating the Universal School Meals program to ensure all children in Vermont have access to breakfast and lunch every school day, making local foods more accessible through programs like Crop Cash, Farm Share, and Vermonters Feeding Vermonters, and establishing the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund]. I have worked to support on the Senate Agriculture committee. I will continue that support and support further support for benefit coordinators to support access.

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

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?

One thing that I was proud of was showing clear and unwavering support for farmers coming from the Agriculture Committee. While not a specific policy it is something that was clearly lacking and I intend to try to continue during my legislative career.