A message from Hunger Free Vermont

With summer in full swing, there are a number of ways to stretch your food budget and ensure you and your family are staying healthy and well nourished. Check out these resources you can use to put food on the table and support local farmers, grocers, and farmers markets.

Summer Meals for Kids 18 & Under Hunger doesn’t take a vacation. Summer meals are here to help our kids stay nourished all summer long and are free for all children 18 and under. There is no paperwork to fill out! These meals are kid-friendly, delicious, easy to access, and prepared following health and safety guidelines. There are a number of helpful changes in place this summer to ensure kids are well-nourished while keeping everyone safe during COVID-19. Meals can be taken to go, and multiple days worth of meals can be picked up at one time in many locations. Parents or guardians also have the option to pick up these meals on behalf of their children. Families throughout the state can use our website to find summer meals sites nearby. We will keep these listings updated in the coming weeks as additional meal sites are approved by our partners at the Vermont Agency of Education. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing new outreach materials to help promote these sites!

3SquaresVT   3SquaresVT is here to help us all put food on the table! You may be eligible to receive a 3SquaresVT benefit or increase the benefit you already receive. If you’re curious about 3SquaresVT and whether you’re eligible, visit vermontfoodhelp.com There are a number of programs available during the summer that can help stretch your 3SquaresVT benefit even further. Summer farmers markets in Vermont are finally here! Individuals that receive 3SquaresVT can double their money with Crop Cash at 29 participating markets. For every $1 you spend of 3SquaresVT benefits, you receive an additional $1 in Crop Cash, up to $10 per market day. Just visit the info booth at your local farmers market to enjoy fresh and local fruits, vegetables, and herbs! Learn more about Crop Cash here. There are many more programs available around the state that help Vermonters afford local food produced by farmers in our communities, including the NOFA-VT Farm Share Program, Senior Farm Share, and Farm to Family Coupons. You can use your 3SquaresVT benefits at some farm stands and pick your own farms, in addition to farmers markets. And, many food co-ops in Vermont have Healthy Access Food Programs that make all food - including local food - more affordable for those of us with limited incomes. Check out these programs for more information.

Farmers to Families Food Box Program This July and August, Farmers to Families food boxes containing fresh produce, dairy products, and chicken will be available at multiple daily food distribution sites throughout the state. These boxes are available to anyone who needs them. To keep wait times to a minimum, reservations will be required. To register and see the dates and locations, please visit humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help or dial 2-1-1. You are welcome to pick up food for other families who are not able to make it to the pickup site, just be sure to include the total number of households in your reservation.

Don’t Forget About Year-Round Programs! Programs like 3SquaresVT, WIC, and home delivered meals for older Vermonters are available year-round and are always accepting new participants. Learn more about these important ways to help you eat well at our website.