NOFA, Vermont Food Bank and farmers urge state funding to strengthen SNAP access and local food programs

NOFA Vermont, the Vermont Food Bank and farmers urged a legislative committee to support a package of funding and policy steps they say would strengthen food access and keep federal SNAP dollars in local markets.

At a testimony session, Joanna Doran, local food access director with NOFA Vermont, asked lawmakers to support $500,000 in new base funding to sustain two NOFA programs — Crop Cash Plus and Vermont FarmShare — and to pass legislation that would let Vermont opt into the federal SNAP restaurant-meals option. Doran also requested that the Legislature appropriate $75,000 for restaurant start-up costs and $100,000 for a Department for Children and Families staff position to administer the program.

The request also included support for a $5 million base appropriation for the Vermont Food Bank to shore up disaster response and grow a farm-to-institution distribution program, and a separate request to increase base funding for home-delivered meals for older Vermonters (Meals on Wheels) by $2 million, testimony showed.

Why it matters: SNAP — called 3 Squares Vermont in state materials — puts significant federal purchasing power into Vermont each month. Doran said roughly $13 million in SNAP benefits is spent in Vermont every month and that the program directly supports farmers and markets. “In the first half of this fiscal year, at least $130,000 of 3 Squares Vermont was spent just at farmers markets alone,” she said. Testimony said about 65,000 individuals (roughly 40,000 households) receive SNAP each month in Vermont, and that SNAP reaches an estimated 40% of those eligible.

NOFA and farmers described how Crop Cash works: the program provides market-specific tokens that match a SNAP purchase dollar-for-dollar up to $10, effectively doubling purchasing power for fresh fruits and vegetables. Andrea Otto, representing the Caledonia Farmers Market Association, said Crop Cash tokens are wooden and are reimbursed to markets by NOFA. “The Crop Cash coupons match 3 Squares Vermont benefits dollar for dollar up to $10,” Otto said, adding the incentive brings customers to markets who might otherwise not shop there.

Farmers said an expanded Crop Cash Plus would allow shoppers to use matched funds for staples beyond produce — for example, bread, eggs, dairy and meat — expanding revenue opportunities for on‑farm sales. Christine Burke of Blue Heron Farm described her farm’s participation in FarmShare and Crop Cash: “The addition of Crop Cash and Crop Cash Plus has been phenomenal,” she said, explaining that tokens and subsidized CSA shares bring new customers and allow some families to purchase meat and other higher-cost items.

On restaurant meals: testifiers and committee members discussed a federally allowed option that lets certain SNAP-eligible groups buy prepared meals at participating restaurants. Carrie Staylor of the Vermont Food Bank explained the program would target people who qualify because they are unhoused, disabled or 60 and older. “It would allow them to purchase prepared food at participating restaurants,” Staylor said, adding that the state’s requested funds are meant to cover start-up and technical assistance so small, local restaurants can participate.

Testimony included details and clarifications from committee members and witnesses. Committee members confirmed with presenters that there are “over 40” farmers markets in Vermont that accept SNAP and Crop Cash and that a family-of-four SNAP eligibility threshold under Vermont’s policy is 185% of the federal poverty line (testimony cited $4,810 monthly or roughly $57,000 annually). Witnesses also said SNAP benefits can be scaled to very low amounts in some cases.

Background and budget history: presenters said the agriculture committee had recommended funding near the NOFA ask previously, but the enacted budget provided less. NOFA staff reported that the committee had recommended about $478,500 last year, while final budget action provided $300,000; testimony said that left Crop Cash Plus underfunded. Presenters asked that the Legislature plan for FY 2026 funding to restore and expand the programs.

What was not decided: The hearing recorded requests and clarifying discussion but no committee votes or formal actions on the funding or legislation during this session. Speakers repeatedly called for the Legislature to consider the requests during upcoming budget and bill deliberations.

Voices from the ground: multiple farmers and market operators described specific program impacts. Otto said seniors walk to downtown St. Johnsbury’s market and use Crop Cash to buy winter-storable produce; Burke described subsidized CSA shares and local delivery that help people with limited transportation; Frances Beveridge, who said she became homeless during the pandemic, testified that food banks and local supports were essential to her recovery.

Next steps: Testimony indicated that a bill to authorize the SNAP restaurant-meals option is expected and that funding requests for FY 2026 will be considered during the budget process. Witnesses said formal letters and more detailed budget materials would follow.

Ending: Lawmakers asked technical questions and requested follow-up details. Presenters said they will provide formal budget requests and additional information to the committee so members can consider whether to include the proposals in the FY 2026 budget and related legislation.