MORRISVILLE, VT – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) convened a roundtable discussion Friday to discuss the current state of hunger and nutrition in Lamoille County.  The conversation centered on the changing nature of hunger in Vermont, where food pantries and support organizations have seen higher demand than before the pandemic, suggesting a growing need for food and nutrition assistance. Sen. Welch was joined by representatives from several local organizations working to combat hunger in Lamoille County, including the Lamoille County Food Share Pantry, the Lamoille Valley Hunger Council, and the Central Vermont Council on Aging. A full list of attendees is included below.  

“It’s clear that Vermonters are struggling to make ends meet and relying on outside help more than ever. My job is to support the folks on the ground that provide families with what they need to thrive, including groups like the Lamoille County Food Share Pantry and the Vermont Foodbank,” said Sen. Welch. “Federal support for fighting hunger shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Whether you live in a red state or a blue state, hunger affects your community. I’m hopeful that we can find allies on this across the political spectrum so we can secure the support Vermont needs to help families thrive.”  

Roundtable participants shared concerns that, while the number of families seeking assistance has dramatically increased over the last ten years, the baseline level of federal support many organizations receive has not increased. In addition, participants also expressed concerns about the upcoming end of additional emergency funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which began during the early days of the Coronavirus pandemic through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.  

As negotiations begin on the upcoming Farm Bill, Sen. Welch remains committed to securing essential funding for hunger and nutrition support programs in Vermont and will work closely with advocates and families to secure the federal resources Vermonters need. 

Roundtable Participants 

• Tess Milner: Executive Directory of Lamoille Community Food Share Pantry 
• Theresa Snow: Executive Director of Salvation Farms 
• Tony Risitano: Clearinghouse Director, Salvation Farms 
• John Mandeville:  Lamoille Valley Hunger Council, Executive Director of Central Vermont Council on Aging 
• Kim Lipinski: Nutrition and Wellness Director, Central Vermont Council on Aging 
• Teddy Waszazak: Lamoille Valley Hunger Council, Hunger Free Vermont 
• Nicole Fournier-Grisgraber: Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County 
• Karyl Kent: Administrative Director of School Nutrition Services, Lamoille Union Middle & High Schools 
• Sarah Keblin – Director of Philanthropy Marketing & Communications, Vermont Foodbank 
• Sarah Kenney: Community Food Access Organizer, Vermont Foodbank

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