The Times Argus reports that 13 sites in central Vermont now offer free summer meals for children. For example, the
city of Barre has just launched a free summer lunch program to combat the rise of childhood hunger. This year, Barre has six drop-in sites open to all children 18 and under: The Aldrich Library, the Hedding United Methodist Church, the Barre City Elementary School, the Highgate Apartments, Green Acres, and the city pool. In addition, the "Northfield Boys and Girls Club and Brown Public Library in Northfield also provide meals that are open to all children" and "meals are being offered for the first time to children enrolled in shorter programs at three other sites: Barre Auditorium (the Frost Heaves camp), the Kellogg-Hubbard library in Montpelier, and Williamstown Elementary School's camp."

Sarah Kunz, the summer nutrition outreach and policy specialist at the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, noted "that more Vermont families are struggling to put food on the table, based on the increased use of Food Stamps, which is nearing record levels, and the growing number of families turning to food shelves." Her organization "expects that up to 360 children will be fed daily through the Washington Country programs this summer – 150 more than last summer."

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