Food costs weigh on schools

The Burlington Free Press reports that the South Burlington school district will raise cafeteria lunch prices by 45 cents to $2.75 for elementary students and by 70 cents to $3.25 for middle and high school students. The price increase is in response to rising food costs, employee wage increases, and staff health benefits. Indeed, "the district’s cost for fresh produce is up 22 percent over last year; grocery prices are 26 percent higher; and milk’s up, too, according to business manager John Stewart." The district also "increased wages for its food service employees by 3 percent over last year, and the cost of the food service staff’s health benefits went up 5 percent." Superintendent Jeanne Collins explained that the "district does everything it can to keep prices as low as possible while maintaining a sustainable and nutritional food program."

"Regardless of rising costs, families who qualify for free meals will continue to receive those meals at no charge, said Joanne Heidkamp, program director for the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. That's because "schools are reimbursed by the federal government for each free breakfast and lunch served to an eligible child. The amount a child pays for a reduced-price lunch is 40 cents, and the government reimburses the school for the balance up to the full federal reimbursement rate."

Other schools are following Burlington's lead. "At Charlotte Central School, the price of lunch will increase to $3 from $2.50. Hinesburg, Shelburne and Williston school lunch prices will increase 25 cents, to $2.50, and Champlain Valley Union High School will remain at $2.25." In addition, "the Milton School District will raise its lunch prices 25 cents — to $2.25 for elementary students and $2.50 for middle and high school students – and lunch prices at Shelburne Community School will also rise by 25 cents."

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Update on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11:08AM by VCF Staff

Schools expand free lunch program

Vermont Public Radio reports that  "at least two Vermont school districts have expanded their free lunch programs because they worry more families could go hungry this year." Currently, "the poorest children get free breakfasts and free lunches" in Vermont, and "kids from families who aren't quite as poor have to pay some of the [meal] price - 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch." The changes in the Burlington and Essex school districts will "eliminate distinctions among poor families" for both meals. The state will "pay for breakfasts for all children whose family income is less than 185 percent of poverty - or $40,000 for a family of four," and Burlington and Essex will cover the lunch costs. In Burlington, the free lunches are expected to cost the city about $10,000.

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Food Shelf May See Rough Times

The Caledonian Record reports that volunteers at the St. at the St. Johnsbury food shelf are concerned that they may run out of trouble keeping the cupboards stocked this winter as the cost of heating rises drives more people to seek help from the food pantry. Currently, "about 500 people and families use the food shelf each month, with an average of about 20 daily." According to coordinator Ted Merchant, "A significant increase in clients could empty the shelves." He added, "Nobody will be turned away as long as the food shelf remains open." The food shelf works with local gardeners to supply the shelf. For example, "Gardeners at The Passumpsic River Valley Community Garden in St. Johnsbury just agreed to donate weekly produce to the food shelf...The community garden, officially opened by Gov. Jim Douglas last month, includes 25 working plots [and] more than 100 people are involved in it."

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Winooski market slowly grows

The Burlington Free Press reports that The Winooski Farmers' Market, now in its third season, is slowing increasing the number of vendors and has begun featuring live music and special events like a children's day to attract more residents.  The market is also "one of a few in the state that accepts EBT, which is part of the state's food stamp program... People on the food assistance program can swipe their EBT card, which is like a debit card, on a portable machine. The shoppers then get tokens they can use to buy food." Interestingly, "Winooski is one of the few Vermont towns and cities [that] lack[s] a farm."

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Green Mountain College takes sustainability to a new level

The Burlington Free Press reports that the Farm and Food Project at Green Mountain College has "taken 'sustainability to a new level. The college's goal is to supply 5 percent of its dining hall food from its own farm -- an organic farm that relies mostly on human and animal power instead of fossil fuels...what's unusual about the Green Mountain College operation, aside from the use of draft animals, is the farm's connection to the curriculum and the farm's proximity -- right on the edge of the 820-student campus and a short walk from the dorms and the dining hall." For example, "dozens of classes use the farm as part of their coursework, and students in the Environmental Studies Program can major in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production."

Students started the farm in 1997. It has since expanded to include "16 sheep, the two oxen, plans for pigs and two milking cows, a solar/wind powered greenhouse, and a robust supply of vegetables that are sold in the Poultney farmers market over the summer, when school is out." According to Kenneth Mulder, the farm manager who has a Ph.D. in ecological economics, "The farm will supply the dining hall with about three tons of produce this year."

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Vermont Food Bank acquires farm

Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Food Bank, the state's largest hunger relief organization, "is purchasing the 20-acre Kingsbury Farm in Warren from the Vermont Land Trust." The Farm will be part of the organization's long-term strategy "to grow its own food [in order to] stave off hunger in Vermont's neediest communities." Executive Director Doug O'Brien explained, "Oftentimes, fresh produce, especially locally procured fresh produce, can be expensive for low-income people to purchase, which means they may not add it to their diets. If we can provide this in addition to some more traditional foods that the Food Bank provides, I think it's a very positive step.''

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Update on Monday, August 4, 2008 at 11:31AM by VCF Staff

Foodbanks Pending Purchase will Preserve Farmland

The Bennington Banner reports that the Foodbank's pending purchase of the 20-acre Kingsbury Farm will "prevent commercial development, preserve farmland and revive the 20-acre Kingsbury Farm as a working farm, in the process providing a hub for agricultural education efforts and community activity." Ultimately, the Foodbank aims to "raise 150,000 pounds of fresh produce on the farm (annually) and make it available — first and foremost — locally in the Mad River valley and Washington County and then also to other food shelves and pantries around the state."

The farmland was "purchased last year by the Vermont Land Trust after community groups worried that it would be bought and developed for other uses." Those groups "rallied and raised money for conservation" and "the Town of Warren kicked in $125,000 toward the $495,000 purchase price." Next, the Land Trust "put out requests for proposals that elicited — among other things — suggestions that it be turned into an algae farm for biofuels, a community root cellar, a hub for sharing vehicles or a 'localvore' store selling locally-made products." The Foodbank's proposal was selected.

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Community Garden supports Pownal Food Pantry

The Bennington Banner reports that Pownal resident Peter Hopkins began a community garden two years ago to "provid[e] residents living in cramped quarters a place to grow vegetables." The garden includes rental plots, vertical gardens, and a conventional garden to benefit the food pantry in Pownal. Barbara Schlesinger, co-chairwoman of the Pownal Food Pantry, noted that "the pantry operates two Saturdays every month, usually the second and fourth, and relies solely on donations." She concluded, "Peter did all the labor, God love him. The food pantry doesn't have space to store perishables, so much of the garden is root vegetables.

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Vermont Food Bank acquires farm

Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Food Bank, the state's largest hunger relief organization, "is purchasing the 20-acre Kingsbury Farm in Warren from the Vermont Land Trust." The Farm will be part of the organization's long-term strategy "to grow its own food [in order to] stave off hunger in Vermont's neediest communities." Executive Director Doug O'Brien explained, "Oftentimes, fresh produce, especially locally procured fresh produce, can be expensive for low-income people to purchase, which means they may not add it to their diets. If we can provide this in addition to some more traditional foods that the Food Bank provides, I think it's a very positive step.''

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Vt. food stamp use reaching all-time high

The Times Argus reports that earlier this week, "representatives of the Washington and Chittenden county hunger councils met with legislators, heads of state agencies, and two national anti-hunger experts [to discuss] ways to improve Vermonters' access to food stamps — the first line of defense against hunger." Advocates are particularly concerned about improving program access in the face of food and fuel price increases and the approaching winter.  

Currently, about "80 percent of people eligible for the program participate." This means that Vermont's food stamp use is "close to an all-time high." Among the elderly, however, this rate is lower. Indeed, only 32 percent of the elderly (people age 60 and older) who are eligible for the program participate. " In addition, although the general rate of food stamp use is higher in Vermont than the national average, the rate for Vermont's working poor has declined and flattened." 

"Renee Richardson, the director of Vermont's food stamp program, described some of the state's initiatives to extend eligibility and increase benefits:

• Exclude IRAs from the resource limit. The limit keeps many elderly people from applying for benefits. Someone with a $20,000 IRA would be disqualified.
• Remove the cap on child care costs. Eligible families' allotments would increase.
• Get a waiver to increase the standard deduction for medical expenses and allow people to itemize expenses. The change would help the elderly.
• Provide five months of 'continuation' benefits for families that are leaving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
• Waive face-to-face interviews for determining eligibility. Adopting new technologies to improve services – part of the state's food stamp 'modernization program' – will make it possible for people to apply at any time and without driving to a food stamp office.
• And, lengthen the recertification period – the interval for reconfirming eligibility – from six to 12 months. Many eligible people fail to complete the recertification process and later reapply for food stamps, losing benefits for a while and increasing the staff's workload."

Mayor of Montpelier Mary Hooper "called on state officials to implement the recommended changes to the food stamp program immediately." She concluded, "We have a crisis that's going to happen in six months that we need to be planning for right now. This needs to be in place. We need to be ready to move forward before January gets here. This is urgent – it has to happen now."

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Food drive will complement weekend of tax-free shopping

Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Retail Association is working working with the Vermont Grocers Association and the Vermont Food Bank to organize a food drive this weekend during the sales tax holiday. The holiday "is expected to boost traffic at stores around the state" and many store owners felt "the food drive would complement the weekend of tax-free shopping." Tasha Wallis, of the Vermont Retail Association, explained, "In some states, the holiday has had as much success as some of the holiday shopping seasons. And then we thought about the spirit of giving. And really, if Vermonters are saving money while they're out spending, we're hoping that they'll be generous and willing to support their local food shelves, as well.'' Notably, "the Vermont Food Bank says demand for assistance has risen as the economy has slowed." Currently, "of the people served by the Food Bank, 38 percent are choosing between buying food and paying their utilities or fuel bills. And 33 percent are choosing between food and paying rent or their mortgage."

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Debit cards arriving at farmers' markets

Vermont Pubic Radio reports that "more Vermont farmers' markets are accepting debit cards and electronic food stamps this summer, making it easier for people to buy local produce, organic cheeses and homemade breads and pies." In 2007, the Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Winooski markets "experimented with wireless card readers that made it possible for debit sales and electronic benefit transfers, used for food stamp benefits." This year this program has "expanded to include ten markets." The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont "believes the move will increase sales and give food stamp users access to fresh, locally grown products."

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Debit cards arriving at farmers' markets

Vermont Pubic Radio reports that "more Vermont farmers' markets are accepting debit cards and electronic food stamps this summer, making it easier for people to buy local produce, organic cheeses and homemade breads and pies." In 2007, the Brattleboro, Bellows Falls and Winooski markets "experimented with wireless card readers that made it possible for debit sales and electronic benefit transfers, used for food stamp benefits." This year this program has "expanded to include ten markets." The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont "believes the move will increase sales and give food stamp users access to fresh, locally grown products."

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Combating hunger involves many programs, local and federal

The Bennington Banner reports that in Vermont, "about 10 percent of households, representing about 19,000 children, are food insecure." According to the directors of the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, local food shelves; soup kitchens; federal nutrition programs, such as food stamps and free and reduced school lunch and breakfast programs; local gardening projects; and nutrition education and training are key pieces to solving this hunger crisis.

Food Stamps
Joanne Heidkamp, the Campaigns's program director said that "less than 80 percent of eligible people are getting food stamps in Bennington County." Robert Dostis, the organization's executive director explained, "Myths surrounding food stamps often keep people away. People think if they take food stamps, they are taking them away from someone else; they see them as charity and not an entitlement; and they might think they are not getting enough money to make it worthwhile." Wth the introduction of the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to pay for food at the grocery store, however, "the stigmas around food stamps have been reduced." Dostis also noted that Vermonters can visit www.vermontfoodhelp.com to check their food-stamp eligibility. The site has recently seen a spike in traffic because of the "stagnant economy and the high price of fuel and food."

Meals on Wheels delivers two millionth meal

Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Meals on Wheel program, which has been feeding the city's older citizens two-meals a day since 1972, delivered its two millionth meal. Senator Patrick Leahy was there to help deliver the meal in Burlington on Monday. Notably, the Meals on Wheels program coordinates hundreds of volunteers around the state who check in on older people to provide nourishment, and a little bit of company.

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Update on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 12:04PM by VCF Staff

Sixty Plus: Meals on Wheels makes a difference
The Burlington Free Press reports that thanks to Meals on Wheels, "every day a dedicated group of volunteers sets out to make sure that seniors and disabled adults in Vermont receive a nutritious meal, a friendly visit and a safety check." The program has enabled "many seniors to stay in their own homes instead of going to nursing home[s]." Notably, many of the organization's volunteers are "retired and looking for a way to give back to their community." Volunteers also "use their vehicles and buy their own gas to make sure that their neighbors are safe and well cared for."

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Meals on Wheels delivers two millionth meal

Vermont Public Radio reports that the Vermont Meals on Wheel program, which has been feeding the city's older citizens two-meals a day since 1972, delivered its two millionth meal. Senator Patrick Leahy was there to help deliver the meal in Burlington on Monday. Notably, the Meals on Wheels program coordinates hundreds of volunteers around the state who check in on older people to provide nourishment, and a little bit of company.

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Update on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 11:54AM by VCF Staff

Sixty Plus: Meals on Wheels makes a difference
The Burlington Free Press reports that thanks to Meals on Wheels, "every day a dedicated group of volunteers sets out to make sure that seniors and disabled adults in Vermont receive a nutritious meal, a friendly visit and a safety check." The program has enabled "many seniors to stay in their own homes instead of going to nursing home[s]." Notably, many of the organization's volunteers are "retired and looking for a way to give back to their community." Volunteers also "use their vehicles and buy their own gas to make sure that their neighbors are safe and well cared for."

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Refugees farming Burlington plots

Vermont Public Radio reports that "twenty-seven families of African refugees are going to be farming plots in Burlington's intervale" as part the New Farms for New Americans initiative. The program is in its first year and primarily targets unemployed women. "Officials say most of those who signed up to farm had some sort of agricultural experience in their home countries" and that "the women in the program come from Somalia, Congo, Burundi and Tanzania. The food raised in the gardens can be sold at farmers' markets."

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