Our Programs

School Meals: The Campaign assists schools in establishing and expanding school breakfast and lunch programs, which provide a reliable source of nutrition for school age children. Only 17% of Vermont's schools served breakfast in 1993. Today, 97% of Vermont's schools serve nutritious meals to more than 94,000 students.

Out-of-School Time: The Campaign helps community groups provide nutritious meals to low-income children during out-of-school time during the summer months and in afterschool programming. 802 children received summer meals at 18 sites in 1993. Today, 4,700 children access healthy meals and educational activities in 144 sites in Vermont.

Cooking for Life: The Campaign’s Cooking for Life classes empower low-income Vermonters to make healthy choices through nutrition education, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity, and improving cooking skills. Cooking for Life started in 1999 with just 5 series and 47 participants. To date there have been hundreds of series serving over 5,000 Vermonters.

3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps): The Campaign improves access to and participation in 3SquaresVT (formerly the Food Stamp Program) which is one of the most reliable, consistent, and dignified means to prevent hunger. In 2001 there were only 38,558 participants. Today there are over 85,000 participants in Vermont.

Child and Adult Care Food Program: Because good nutrition is especially crucial while a young child’s brain is developing, the Campaign is helping child care providers access the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This program provides child care centers, home-based child care, and afterschool programs with nutrition education and reimbursements. In 2003, 2,232 children received nutritious meals through CACFP. Today, participation has increased 62%--over 3,600 children now benefit from CACFP.

Education and Advocacy: The Campaign has evolved into Vermont's principal anti-hunger authority and leading nutrition policy advocate. We were the primary force behind Act 22, which greatly increased access to the School Meal Program. We are now advocating for improved access to all federally funded food and nutrition programs.