Press Release

Senator Welch Joins Vermont Foodbank’s Hunger Action Conference, Calls for Continued Support for Food Assistance

May 5, 2023

Killington, VT – Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) addressed the Vermont Foodbank’s annual Hunger Action Conference in Killington, Vermont, today, sharing his perspective as Vermont’s voice on the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, which oversees federal support for food banks and food assistance programs. The conference brought together representatives from the Vermont Foodbank, the University of Vermont Program in Food Systems, Migrant Justice, Milk with Dignity, and local government to discuss the continued challenge of food insecurity in Vermont and explore strategies to help Vermonters access nutritious and affordable meals.  

“We’re fighting an affordability crisis here in Vermont, and many families rely on food banks and food assistance to make ends meet. Food banks and programs like 3SquaresVT are essential to helping families put food on the table, and it’s critical that they continue to receive federal support,” said Sen. Welch. “I’ll do everything I can to protect funding for these important programs in the upcoming farm bill and help organizations like the Vermont Foodbank continue to do the hard work of helping Vermonters feed their families during challenging times. I want to thank the Vermont Foodbank for inviting me to speak today and for the work they do every day to help Vermonters.”  

“There is no simple or single solution to hunger,” said John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank.  “The Vermont Foodbank joins Senator Welch in celebrating the creative and dedicated work of community partners to set the table for neighbors to thrive. His work to ensure the flow of federal food and funds lifts Vermont’s collective well-being.” 

Senator Welch serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and chairs its Rural Development and Energy subcommittee, whose jurisdiction includes many United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives to address affordability issues in rural America, including expanding access to affordable housing and lowering household utility bills. 

To read more about the Hunger Action Conference, please click here. For images from today’s event, please click here, here, and here.  

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