An act relating to establishing the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
H.167 creates the Vermonters Feeding Vermonters Grant Program within the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The program is designed to provide grants to Vermont Foodbank so it can continue purchasing local food directly from Vermont farms and distribute that food through its network. It also allows Vermont Foodbank to make subgrants to network partners and other partners that buy from local farms, including efforts focused on culturally preferred foods and maintaining local relationships.
The bill codifies a state grant structure for a program that had previously been administered by Vermont Foodbank, with the goal of ensuring ongoing annual support through state appropriations. It requires annual reporting to the House and Senate agriculture committees on food purchased, farms supported, distribution sites, and any farm-share purchases, while protecting the privacy of individuals, households, and businesses in the reported information. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, but implementation is contingent on a fiscal year 2026 General Fund appropriation for the program.
The bill adds a new subchapter to Title 6, creating a formal state grant program at the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and tying the program to future General Fund appropriations. It affects Vermont Foodbank, its network partners, participating farms, and food distribution sites by supporting direct local food purchases and related subgrants. The measure also establishes annual legislative oversight through reporting requirements and confidentiality protections for program data.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive of the program. The findings emphasize rising food insecurity, health benefits from increased produce access, and economic benefits to Vermont farms and the broader local economy. Although no committee transcripts or recorded votes are provided, the bill’s enactment and gubernatorial signature indicate favorable legislative and executive support.
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or vote history. Based on the bill’s structure, the main policy considerations are likely funding, since implementation depends on a fiscal year 2026 General Fund appropriation, and program design, including how grants and subgrants are distributed and how culturally preferred foods are prioritized. The confidentiality provisions and reporting obligations appear intended to balance transparency with privacy, but no recorded opposition is included in the materials provided.