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According to a local article, Representative Peter Welch announced support and co-sponsorship of two bills that support summer meals on July 19th at a local middle school.
The bills will help support students in need of healthy meals while school is out and kids have less access to healthier school meals, that include more fruits and vegetables.
The local article explains how the bills supported will help provide low-income eligible households with a debit card that gives families funds for fresh local foods that also in turn support Vermont’s agriculture economy. Support of this legislation will also help redefine areas of which low-income economic conditions exist, to ensure more children have access to free meals.
Summer meal sites are sparse in Burlington, where 2016 data from the U.S. Dept. of Agricultures (USDA’s), Summer Food Site shows only two sites for the four areas where 20% to 60% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
This summer, partnerships between the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, local health departments, local organizations and the summer meal sites have helped offer free summer meals throughout the weekends in July at Winooski and St. Johnsbury Farmers Markets.
Latino students need access throughout the year to fresh foods, as they often have less access to fresh fruits and vegetables in their neighborhoods, studies show.
By The Numbers
1
Supermarket
for every Latino neighborhood, compared to 3 for every non-Latino neighborhood
