Maddie, policy and organizing director at NOFA Vermont, told the Appropriations Committee that NOFA is seeking $500,000 in ongoing state funding to sustain local food-security programs that link low-income Vermonters with locally produced food.

"We're once again asking for 500,000 in ongoing funding for our local food security programs, Crop Cash, Crop Cash Plus, and FarmShare," Maddie said, outlining the programs' roles in bringing SNAP and other dollars to farmers and families.

Joanna Doran, NOFA's direct markets and local food access director, detailed each program: PropCash (doubles SNAP spending on fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, federally funded but requiring a local match), Crop Cash Plus (expands incentives beyond produce to meat, dairy, eggs and bread), and FarmShare (subsidizes CSA shares for low‑income households, covering 25–75% of the cost).

Doran said state support has funded 2025 impacts including more than 530 households served through FarmShare, roughly 10,500 SNAP transactions captured at farmers markets, and approximately $77,000 spent on Crop Cash Plus between July and December. "These programs have leveraged over $1,600,000 in local food purchases," she said.

Committee members asked about federal matching and how the requested $500,000 would be allocated. Doran said Crop Cash draws about a 1:1 federal match; she estimated roughly $100,000 could be directed to FarmShare and about $200,000 to direct incentives, with remaining funds covering administrative costs and flexibility across programs depending on demand.

NOFA also asked the committee to continue supporting S.60, the Farm and Forestry Operations Security Special Fund, and highlighted the Farm Security Fund concept as a safety net for farms facing disaster losses. Maddie and others cited multi‑year extreme weather that they say has produced substantial losses across Vermont agriculture.

The presenters asked the committee to invite Bridges to Health — which provides primary care and supports more than 1,000 farmworkers statewide — to brief lawmakers on federal funding changes that threaten that program's future.

The committee thanked NOFA for the presentation and signaled willingness to work with the group and appropriators to consider the funding request and related program details.

The committee did not vote on the request during this session; presenters were invited to provide materials and follow up with staff and the appropriations process.