Tom Blakely
Democratic Candidate for Vermont House of Representatives in the Bennington-5 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?
The state government needs to ensure that all Vermonters have access to food through support and safety-net programs, and through supporting and cooperating with non-profits working to address food insecurity.
What would be your policy priorities to move Vermont toward food security for all?
Expand school food programs to provide meals to children outside of school. Encourage community organizations to connect with local producers and provide food services where the need is greatest. Support and fund existing programs that address food insecurity while supporting farmers and other producers.
What do you believe are the root causes of hunger, and what should the state do to address those underlying factors?
The high cost of living in Vermont is driven by housing, healthcare and energy. We need to address all of these -- more housing that is easier to build, universal basic healthcare, renewable energy and support for transitioning away from fossil fuels. All of those will strengthen Vermont's economy, support business, and provide a better future where Vermonters do not have to choose between housing and feeding their family, or between food and healtcare.
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?
Farmers need support. The continued reduction in the number of working farms shows that "business as usual" is not working. We need to reduce regulatory constraints to improve farm viability. We need to make sure that nearby communities are strong and can provide the services that farmers need to support their critical role in Vermont. We need to ensure that education and related opportunities exist and function well, to prepare the next generation of farmers, and to ensure that young Vermonters, especially in rural areas, can afford to remain in Vermont. Finally, we need to open immigration once again to enable motivated, hard working people to provide labor we need and the cultural diversity that enriches us all.