Stephanie Mack

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?

As a candidate for the Vermont House, I believe the state's role in food security is limited but important: to create conditions for thriving local economies, support Vermont's family farms as small businesses, and efficiently administer safety-net programs using federal resources. Government should reduce regulatory burdens and taxes that drive up costs for families and producers, promote workforce participation and self-reliance, and ensure programs like 3SquaresVT operate transparently with strong accountability to maximize impact without waste. True food security flows from economic opportunity, abundant local production, and community support—not expansive state mandates or unsustainable spending. Targeted, results-driven policies respecting taxpayer dollars will best serve all Vermonters.

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

My policy priorities emphasize fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and empowering Vermont families and farms. Reduce taxes and regulations to lower living costs so more households can afford food independently. Strongly support effective targeted programs like Farm Share (which I have hosted a drop site for over 1.5 years), Crop Cash, and Vermonters Feeding Vermonters that connect local producers with those in need while boosting farm viability. Back the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund framework for targeted disaster resilience, funded responsibly.

Food must be available to all, but not every family needs government funding—many can and want to contribute. Prior to Universal School Meals, means-tested (free and reduced-price) state costs were significantly lower. The shift to universal added roughly $29 million annually in new state/Education Fund costs (Joint Fiscal Office estimate) to cover meals for all students. Many families are happy to pay; we should allow opt-in payments or means-testing, curb massive waste from over-portioning (tons thrown away yearly), and seek variances from federal rules for Vermont-specific efficiency. Run programs like businesses: minimize waste, maximize value, and prioritize aid for those who truly need it.

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

Root causes of hunger in Vermont is a pretty complex problem & there is not an easy answer. Over-reliance on government assistance without pathways to self-sufficiency, skill gaps, and limited economic opportunity also contribute.

The state should prioritize addressing these underlying factors through pro-growth policies: lowering taxes and regulations to make housing and energy more affordable, supporting workforce development, and expanding access to education and trades. Invest in job mentoring, technical/vocational training (modeled on successful programs like Job Corps), household budgeting classes, and financial literacy to empower independence. Encourage practical self-sufficiency, such as community farm shares, weekend farm help for produce, and entrepreneurship. By coaching youth and adults to earn, manage, and save money effectively, we build resilient families capable of meeting their own needs. Targeted safety nets remain for those in genuine need, but the focus must be on opportunity and personal agency to truly end hunger long-term.

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 farms are vital to our food security, environment, communities, and economy. To strengthen them, I would prioritize cutting property taxes and regulatory burdens that disproportionately harm small family operations—providing immediate relief and keeping farmland in production.

Two additional steps: 1) Streamline permitting and reduce overlapping regulations to lower compliance costs and speed up farm infrastructure projects, diversification (e.g., agritourism, value-added products), and beginning farmer access to land. 2) Expand targeted workforce initiatives, including vocational training, apprenticeships, and incentives for local labor to address shortages, while supporting practical immigration pathways for seasonal needs.

These market-oriented approaches—paired with efficient disaster resilience tools like the Farm & Forestry Operations Security Special Fund—empower farmers to thrive without heavy new spending. By treating agriculture as the essential small business it is, we ensure resilient local food production for all Vermonters.