Seth Bongartz
Democratic Candidate for Vermont Senate in the Bennington 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?
of course!
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
I have actively supported all of the [following examples provided to candidates: 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.]
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
low wages for unskilled workers, divorce, domestic abuse, cost of housing, cost of transportation, etc. I have been a leader in getting affordable housing built and supported all Hunger Free Vermont initiatives.
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?
this one is tough to answer. the land trust movement has helped make land available. critical starting point. I'm a major supporter of the Housing and Conservation Board. Also, very much in fovor of helping with marketing dollars and even subsidizing processing centers if necessary.