Tanya Vyhovsky
Progressive Candidate for Vermont Senate in the Chittenden Central 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?
I believe that state government's primary purpose is to ensure that all people have their basic needs met and are protected from being harmed by others and corporations. Thus I believe we have a primary role in ensuring all people are food secure.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
Protect Universal School Meals, fully fund meals on wheels, expand crop cash and all programs that put healthy local food on people's tables.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
Crumbling social safety nets, wealth inequality, unlivable wages. Invest in social safety nets, tax the wealthy, raise the minimum wage and link it to a real liable wage going forward.
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 is not a policy area that I am particularly familiar with but I will continue to seek advice from NOFA and others but I do think we need more state dollars going to subsidize organic sustainable farming practices.