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Chris Morrow asks for $5 million to bolster Vermont Food Bank emergency readiness and local purchases
Summary
Chris Morrow requested $5 million for the Vermont Food Bank split among emergency prepositioning, purchasing from Vermont farmers, and distribution operations; he said the food bank serves about 72,000 Vermonters monthly.
Chris Morrow told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 19 that the Vermont Food Bank seeks $5 million in state support divided into three parts: $1.75 million for emergency response readiness and prepositioning food and water at distribution centers; $2.0 million to buy food from Vermont farmers under the "Vermonters Feeding Vermonters" program; and $1.25 million for regular distribution operations.
Morrow said the emergency readiness funding would support a new collaboration with Vermont Emergency Management and implement the 10‑year food security roadmap by prepositioning supplies for rapid disaster response. He said the fiscal year 2026 budget for the food bank is $26 million and that the food bank serves an average of 72,000 Vermonters each month.
Morrow framed the request as helping both food‑insecure Vermonters and the state’s farmers and asked the committee to “please support this.” The committee heard the request as part of public testimony; no immediate vote was taken.
