Senate committee votes to advance bill formalizing ‘Vermonters Feeding Vermonters’ grant program

The Vermont Senate Committee on Agriculture voted 5-0 on May 6 to report H.167 out of committee, a bill that would establish a grant program at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to formalize and fund the Vermont Food Bank’s Vermonters Feeding Vermonters program.

Counsel Grady summarized the measure as creating a grant program at the Agency of Agriculture to provide ongoing appropriations for the program, which the Vermont Food Bank has administered since 2018 and which purchases local food from Vermont farms and issues subgrants to network partners to buy directly from farms.

The bill includes a multi-part definition of “local food” that varies by product type: raw agricultural products must be grown exclusively in Vermont; certain animal products must be produced primarily from animals raised in Vermont; processed products must have a majority of raw-ingredient inputs from Vermont and either be processed in Vermont or have their manufacturer headquartered in Vermont; and bakery products, beverages and other unique foods must meet two or more specified criteria (majority-Vermont ingredients, substantial transformation in Vermont, or Vermont-based headquarters). The legislation also allows the food bank to offer subgrants to its distribution partners and requires the food bank, after consulting with the agency, to report by March 1 on program implementation and administration, including total food purchased, number of farms sold to, distribution sites served and, if applicable, the number of farm shares purchased.

The bill contains a confidentiality provision that would allow the agency to withhold identifying information about individual persons, households or businesses that receive assistance through the program "to avoid a disincentive to participate," and a clause stating the program need not be implemented unless funding is provided in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund for the purposes described in the bill. Counsel Grady noted the Senate appropriations proposal includes $500,000 for the program but cautioned that whether the program becomes base funding or remains one-time appropriations will be a decision for the administration and appropriations committees.

Representatives of service and advocacy organizations spoke in favor. "We strongly support this effort," said Anur Horton, a representative of Hunger Free Vermont, adding that many Vermont farms struggle and that using Vermont farm products can support food security in the state. Amy Schollenberger, representing the Vermont Food Bank, and Michelle (identified in the hearing as the program manager at the food bank) were present for questions.

Committee members asked for clarifications about how the grant would be administered, the confidentiality provision and how the geometry of the “local” definition operates in practice (for example, how co‑op milk that includes some out‑of‑state members would be treated). Counsel Grady said draft grant guidance and administrative requirements would govern grant conditions and that the agency typically withholds a percentage of grant funds initially to ensure conditions are met.

After discussion, the committee called the roll and voted to report H.167 out of committee. The roll call recorded Senators Collinwood, Heffernan, Majors, Flunkett and Ingalls voting yes. The committee did not record any amendments or conditions in the hearing record.

If H.167 becomes law as drafted, the Agency of Agriculture would administer annual grants to the Vermont Food Bank and its partners for purchasing Vermont‑defined local food, subject to appropriations and administrative grant conditions. The committee hearing and vote leave the bill poised for further consideration by the full Senate and appropriations review.