Lawmakers hear calls to opt into SNAP restaurant-meals option and boost food-security funding

House Human Services Committee members heard testimony Tuesday asking the state to opt into the federal SNAP restaurant meals option and to provide several targeted budget increases to shore up Vermont's food safety net.

Anora Horton, executive director of Hunger Free Vermont, asked legislators to approve a slate of measures she said would make it easier for older Vermonters, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness to access hot meals, support local farms, and improve disaster preparedness. "We are also requesting, collectively $500,000 in base funding in the FY 26 budget to strengthen Vermont farm viability and address food security," Horton told the committee, adding the state should "pass legislation to instruct the state of Vermont to opt into the SNAP restaurant meals program and to appropriate $75,000 to cover restaurant startup costs" and $100,000 "for a staff position" at the Department for Children and Families to help restaurants participate.

The requests Horton presented included: (1) legislation to opt Vermont into the SNAP restaurant meals program plus $75,000 in startup funds for restaurants and $100,000 for a staff position at DCF; (2) $500,000 in base…