As Child Care Nutrition Outreach & Policy Specialist at the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, Mitzi Johnson works with state agencies and local child care facilities to increase the number of children receiving nutritious meals and snacks while in care.
Through her extensive work with CACFP, Mitzi has become an expert in the area of child care nutrition. She provides presentations across the state on the benefits of early access to nutritious foods, best practices for feeding young children, and how to implement a successful meal program. Additionally, she is able to answer in-depth questions from journalists, advocates, and community groups concerning eligibility requirements, barriers to access, and policy initiatives.
Mitzi is also a four-term State Representative for Grand Isle County and Milton in the Vermont House of Representatives. She served two terms on the Agriculture Committee, and now is in her second term as a member and clerk of the House Appropriations Committee. Mitzi was the lead sponsor of the Farm to School bill, a successful program providing agricultural and nutrition education to schools that encourages use of local Vermont agricultural products. In 2006 Mitzi earned the Vermont Dietetic Association’s Pyramid Award for her work on this legislation.
Before joining the Campaign, Mitzi farmed vegetables, supervised apple harvest crews, and ran a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in South Hero. Mitzi received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies and International Development from the University of Vermont. Mitzi is a founding board member of the South Hero Land Trust, a board member of the Grand Isle-Chittenden County Visiting Nurses Association, and has served two terms on the University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences advisory board (2002-2008). She is also first captain and vice president of South Hero Rescue.
