Spring 2018 Newsletter
Hours: 7 days a week, 9AM-8PM
Phone: 802-454-8579
Email:
For a list of Co-op contacts, click here
For a printable version of this newsletter, click here
Click on an article to see or hide the full text.
Individual articles may be printed by clicking 'Print'
in the upper right corner of the article box. (The article must be expanded.)
The Shifting Landscape of Food Insecurity
by Karen Starr
Food insecurity is a new term for an old problem, one that is not going away any time soon...
Food insecurity refers to USDA's measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. Food-insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time. Food insecurity may reflect a household's need to make trade-offs between important basic needs, such as housing or medical bills, and purchasing nutritionally adequate foods." http://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2015/overall/vermont
The United Nations in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, recognizes food security as basic to a just society.
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/
In spite of efforts to ameliorate food insecurity, there is evidence that an increasing number of our neighbors, friends, and family are having to rely on a regular basis for assistance.
. . . . Emergency food from pantries is no longer being used simply to meet temporary acute food needs. A majority of the clients being served by the Feeding America network (54%) have visited a food pantry in six or more months during the prior year.
. . . . seniors are disproportionately represented among clients visiting pantries in six or more months during the prior year. Over half (56%) of elderly clients aged 65+ are recurrent clients, meaning they have used a pantry every month within the prior year.
http://www.feedingamerica.org/research/hungers-new-staple/
In our little state, which has more public support for hungry folks than many
others, 159,270 Vermonters qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs like 3SquaresVT (27%) Furthermore,
The number of our state's residents who live on the razor's edge of vulnerability to hunger is much higher than revealed by food insecurity statistics. This number, which includes 36,423 children, illustrates that Vermonters receive low wages and struggle to make ends meet. https://www.hungerfreevt.org/hungerinvermont/
In fact, according to the Berkely Labor Center, "Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of enrollees in America's major public support programs are members of working families; the taxpayers bear a significant portion of the hidden costs of low-wage work in America."
At the Co-op we're very aware of how difficult it can sometimes be to feed ourselves and our families. We work hard to get the best prices available for the community. We accept EBT and support Twin Valley Senior Center in small ways, like providing occasional supplies for their meals program at cost. You can contribute to their gift card at the register! We also sponsor gift cards from time to time for community members going through rough patches. Below we've put together a selection of resources and organizations working to help feed hungry Vermonters. Some of us might need to take advantage of what is offered. Others feeling flush might want to volunteer or donate. If you are interested in working to address the core issues of food insecurity, The Vermont Worker's Center is a great place to start! Visit their home page at https://www.workerscenter.org for details of their campaigns and events. Or call or drop in: Vermont Workers' Center • 294 N Winooski Avenue, Burlington VT 05401 • (802) 861 4892
RESOURCES
EBT/SNAP
3 Squares Vermont
1-800-479-6151
Info online and online application
http://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/3SquaresVT
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Low income Vermonters over 60 can apply for both 3 Squares and CSFP
1-800-214-4648
https://www.vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp
For assistance with applications and more
Vermont Food Bank
802-477-4136
hhttps://www.vtfoodbank.org/nurture-people/3squaresvt
Capstone Community Action
20 Gable Place, Barre
802-479-1053
FOOD SHELF AND PANTRY
Just Basics Inc.
Trinity Church
137 Main Street, Montpelier
802-262-6288
Tuesday 10am-12pm, Wednesday 10-11am, Thursday & Friday 10-11am, Saturday 10am-12pm
Onion River Food Shelf
2 Upper Depot Road, Marshfield
802-223-6548
Wednesday 10am-2pm
Old Brick Church
6 Church Street, East Montpelier
802-456-1399
2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month 2-5pm
Capstone Community Action
20 Gable Place, Barre
802-479-1053
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am-12 noon & 1-3pm
Our sponsors


Newsletter Advertising Information | ||
Rates | ||
Page Size | Single Insertion | 4 Insertions (prepaid) 20% discount |
Full Page | $75 | $240 |
Half Page | $50 | $160 |
Quarter Page | $25 | $80 |
Deadline | ||
Deadline for the Summer issue is May 15, 2018 | ||
Submission Information | ||
Electronic graphics files preferred, but we are able to work with any clear copy. For questions about ad copy, contact Sarah Albert, 802-476-0526 or
Ad copy should be submitted to: When your copy is submitted, send a check made out to Plainfield Co-op to: |