Policy Updates & Resources

We appreciate the critical changes made to SNAP in HR. 6201 as part of the recent CR. In addition, we recommend the following changes be made in the next round of federal response to COVID-19.

• Loosen the restrictions on SNAP eligible foods to allow SNAP recipients to purchase hot meals using their benefits.

• FNS should rush SNAP retailer applications. It is critical that as many farms and markets as possible can accept SNAP now. Right now, the application can take up to 45 days! Starting in April the state will be providing free EBT machines for farms/markets so the delay will be in the SNAP authorization. 
• Accelerate the pilot program authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill to allow for online SNAP purchasing so that other e-commerce platforms may process EBT payments and so farmers and farmers markets can still serve SNAP communities through online sales.

We are requesting $50,000 in additional funding to support subsidized CSA shares through NOFA-VT Farm Share Program, and Crop Cash, which doubles 3SquaresVT benefits spent at farmers markets. These programs provide necessary access to fresh, local food for limited income Vermonters, while ensuring direct market rates to farmers. 

• Farm Share Program: We’ve heard from many farmers who are increasing their focus on CSAs this year in light of restaurant and farmers market closures. CSAs represent a win-win by providing up front income farmers need in the spring, a financially critical time of year, and allowing participants to access the freshest possible food. The Farm Share Program allows limited income Vermonters to benefit by subsidizing shares at participating farms. We are already hearing from farmers that they’re seeing an increase in CSA sign-ups, and we are anticipating a spike in Farm Share applications for this summer due to financial hardships from COVID-19. 
• Crop Cash: While some farmers markets have closed in response to the administration's directive to limit large gatherings, we are advocating to ensure that farmers markets are considered essential services, like grocery stores, and allowed to remain open so they can continue to serve their communities during this time of great need. An increase in funding for Crop Cash, which doubles the value of 3SquaresVT benefits when spent at farmers markets, will allow us to improve access to the freshest fruit and vegetables in response to ongoing food access challenges.

• Provide $1 million in increased funding to the “Vermonters Feeding Vermonters" program. Vermonters Feeding Vermonters is a program through which Vermont Foodbank purchases food directly from local farms. Increasing funding for this program would have dual benefits of allowing the Foodbank to purchase more fruits and vegetables from Vermont farmers (many of whom are facing substantial losses due to disruptions in their wholesale or direct markets), and making more locally produced fresh and frozen food available to folks in need.

• Clarification from the CDC that farmers markets are essential public services as tens of thousands of farmers and millions of consumers rely on them for their livelihood and food access.
• Inclusion of direct to consumer farmers and farmers markets in the small business COVID19 relief package currently being negotiated in Congress
• Extension of the deadline (current deadline is May 11) and waiving of match requirements for the current Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program grant Request for Applications.

• Ensure that direct payments to farmers (not just loans) are included in the next federal stimulus or relief package. Many small and mid-sized farms, limited resource farms, and farms operated by farmers of color are not well served by existing crop insurance or revenue programs designed for commodity growers and were left out of past Market Facilitation Program payments. It is vital that any legislation considered to address the farm and food sector include specific provisions to assist these producers. 
• Provide funds for farms quickly moving to set up "on-farm" stands, curbside pickup and other direct to consumer "no-touch" distribution channels that minimize interaction as many farmers markets are closed. Even if allowed to stay open, markets in Vermont may remain limited, attendance may be reduced, or farmers may feel unsafe vending at farmers markets.
• Disaster payments should cover both crops not harvested or sold, as well as those that can move to emergency food needs; organic should be paid for at the organic price.

• Ensure that farms, nurseries, farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs are deemed essential services and have the same status as retail stores when it comes to social gathering and loss of income. Specifically, at the state level, we need a clear list of who/what are considered essential workers/services. DHS guidance released on 3/19 includes food and agriculture in its list of essential infrastructure. At the state level, where this guidance is implemented, we want to ensure that farmers, farm workers, and all those working in food production and other parts of the supply chain are deemed “essential” for the purposes of:
  • limitations to social gathering,
  • limitations to travel,
  • paid sick leave,
  • health coverage,
  • workmen’s compensation, and
  • access to childcare.

This should also include agricultural products suppliers. We are concerned, for example, that variable implementation of CDC/DHS guidance across different states may impact farmers’ access to necessary supplies that are produced in other states. (E.g. greenhouse plastic produced in Ohio that is needed by Vermont farmers.)

• Farm workers who are currently employed on a farm should receive the same payments as any other workers and be considered “essential” with regard to the aforementioned purposes without questions about their status as citizens.
• In order to ensure uninterrupted food, crop, and commodity production, we urge the federal government to recognize all H-2A, and any other non-immigrant visa petition involving an agricultural worker, visa consular processing functions as “essential” and direct the U.S. Consulates to treat all agricultural worker appointments as emergency visa services.
• Establish a national program to provide relief workers for sick farmers.
• Expand farmers' access to credit and offer debt flexibility to ensure they can plant, grow, and harvest the food that we need this year.

• Increase certification cost-share assistance for certified organic farms and handlers and provide immediate payment to organic operations.
• Provide technical assistance to organic operations to make sure they can maintain their certifications during the pandemic by providing required records to certification agencies through virtual platforms.