Purpose

The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger develops programs and advocates policies to prevent hunger and promote good nutrition for Vermont’s families.

Description

The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger (VTCECH) is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to develop sustainable hunger solutions.  VTCECH outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods.

Hunger in Vermont

Public awareness and involvement with anti-hunger efforts is encouraged through Education and Advocacy activities such as Hunger Awareness Day, Electronic Updates, Governor’s Hunger Task Force, and Regional Hunger Councils.  Press Releases and Reports are also routinely used to highlight key issues. In the fall of 2007, VTCECH proudly premiered a new documentary on hunger in Vermont: Every Child, Every Day (14:34).

In 2006, VTCECH and Northfield Savings Bank launched the Community Hunger Assessment, Intervention, & Resources (CHAIR) Project, which coordinates community efforts to build strong nutrition safety nets—one Vermont community at a time.

A variety of Facts and Resources are featured such as:

• Information on The State of Hunger in Vermont
• Take Our Hunger Quiz
• Hunger Solutions Toolkit
• Library of Handouts, Brochures, & Additional Resources
• A list of ideas on What You Can Do to End Hunger 

A range of VTCECH volunteer opportunities and training opportunities are also publicized.

VTCECH works to help communities expand participation in the following child nutrition programs:

• School Meal Programs
• Out-of-School Time
• Cooking For Life
• 3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps)
• Child and Adult Care Food Program

School Meal Programs

School Meal Programs – The goal is to ensure that every school-age child has access to both school breakfast and lunch and that these meals are nutritious and that the students can enjoy them without stigma and eat them in a comfortable atmosphere.  Various helpful School Meal Resources are provided and a listing of communities that do not offer school meals is maintained.

The Vermont Legislature passed a law in 2003 – School Food Programs Act 22 – that requires all public schools to offer the school breakfast and lunch programs to each attending pupil every school day.  Schools that do not offer these programs must have public discussion and a school board vote on whether an exemption shall be continued.

VTCECH conducted a survey to help identify Best Practices among Vermont schools with high participation in the USDA School Breakfast Program (SBP).  A Making Breakfast Better flyer has also been developed to help schools increase breakfast participation.

An outreach campaign was developed to promote expansion of the SBP (Note – USDA offers a School Breakfast Toolkit with information and materials to assist with efforts to increase access to SBP).  VTCECH outreach efforts included:

• Contact with educators and administrators – Provide community hunger data and info/technical assistance related to SBP.
• Engage the community
  • Identify allies (a) within the schools such as school nurses and parent groups and (b) from the community such as food pantries.
  • Provide education on the issues.
  • Address concerns with solid information.
  • Understand that establishing programs is labor intensive.  However, most programs stay open once they are started.

Out-of-School Time

Out-of-School Time – VTCECH helps community groups provide nutritious meals to low-income children during out-of-school time during the summer months and in afterschool programming.  Information brochures are provided on the Afterschool Snack Program and the At-Risk Afterschool Supper Program.

USDA offers extensive resources to promote expansion of the summer food program such as SFSP Outreach Materials and A Guide to Starting the Summer Food Service Program in Your Community.  A PowerPoint presentation can be used to provide an overview of the program.

Additional resources to support SFSP expansion are available from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) including a Simplified Summer Toolkit ... examples of Summer Model Programs ... Tips for Boosting Participation in Summer Food ... Outreach Materials ... Summer Food Target Mapper.

Cooking For Life

Cooking For Life – VTCECH collaborates with the University of Vermont’s Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) to help improve the food security for children living in families on limited budgets.  Cooking for Life classes are held for 2½ hours once a week for six weeks.  Classes are conducted by a nutrition educator and a local chef through hands-on activities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and changes in behavior necessary to achieve adequate diets on limited budgets.

Separate Cooking for Life curriculum has been developed for Youth ... Young Adults ... Adults.  Recipe cards are made available to help families with menu planning.

Cooking for Life is modeled after Operation Frontline developed by Share Our Strength.  Seven specialized courses are used with Operation Frontline.  A low-cost nutritious recipe contest is also sponsored to build an expanded recipe collection from volunteer chefs and nutritionists.

3SquaresVT

3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps) – VTCECH works to increase participation in the 3SquaresVT through an Outreach and Education Program.  www.vermontfoodhelp.com has been created for use by advocates, community service providers, and anyone interested in learning more about 3SquaresVT for themselves of on behalf of a friend or family member.

Various materials have also been created including:

• Resource Library
• Important Things to Know About 3SquaresVT
• Questions and Answers
• 3SquaresVT Guide for Storeowners

Overall information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available from USDA, including guidance for anti-hunger advocates.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) – VTCECH promotes increased involvement in the CACFP among childcare centers and family childcare providers.  A variety of barriers to participation have been identified including lack of knowledge about the program, lack of access to a kitchen, and concerns about paperwork requirements.  VTCECH provides training to prospective CACFP sponsors, which includes information on good nutrition in early childhood, and the development of healthy eating habits.

Additional CACFP resources are available to CACFP sponsors through USDA, as well as other items featured through The Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors Association (TSA).

Building Support for VTCECH

Support for VTCECH is a combination of membership, donors, business partners, foundation and government grants, and fundraising activities.  A membership flyer and a Food to Learn newsletter are used to encourage support and involvement.

Special Events are held across the state by VTCECH.  One of these, Hike for Hunger is a fundraising event that is held annually to involve Vermont school children in an effort to raise awareness about hunger in Vermont and to promote wellness and physical activity.  Letters are mailed to encourage involvement of local schools and presentations are conducted to on hunger issues.  The hike takes place at several central locations and pledge forms are made available.  A "Feeding Minds" Elementary School Hunger Curriculum is provided for use in conjunction with the event - download curriculum.  The event is supported through business sponsors and prizes are awarded to the top individual fundraisers.  In 2008, 26 Vermont schools participated in Hike for Hunger, raising almost $21,000 to benefit the VTCECH’s work to feed Vermont’s children.

Outcomes

VTCECH has received numerous awards for the work of the organization and its staff including the Leadership for a Changing World Award presented by the Ford Foundation and the Victory Against Hunger Award presented by the Congressional Hunger Center.

The VTCECH 2008 Annual Report highlights accomplishments in each program area including:

• In May, Vermont became the fourth state in the nation to make school breakfast free for all low-income students. The state now covers the cost of reduced-price breakfasts so that more Vermont children can receive a free, nutritious morning meal every school day.
• VTCECH coordinated a policy roundtable last summer, bringing together local leaders, policy makers, and national advocates to identify and promote program improvements.  As a result of this effort, the governor agreed to expand eligibility for the Food Stamp Program (newly named 3SquaresVT)—eliminating the asset test and raising income guidelines so that thousands more Vermonters can now receive benefits.
• School Breakfast Expansion Program
  • In the spring of 2008, VTCECH was instrumental in the passage of a state bill that provides $170,000 to expand access to free school breakfasts. As of September 2008, all low-income Vermont students can now receive a nutritious breakfast at no cost.  Anecdotal reports indicate that many more low-income students are now accessing breakfast.
  • Over 2 million free and reduced price breakfasts were served during 2007/2008 at 292 schools.
  • During 2008, new lunch programs were established at three schools, including a school for students under the Department of Corrections.  New breakfast programs were initiated at five schools.  Together, these school meal programs feed thousands of Vermont children: 802 additional students have access to school lunch and 1,237 additional students have access to school breakfast.
• 3Squares Outreach and Education
  • A record-breaking 60,062 Vermonters, including 23,500 children, are currently enrolled in 3SquaresVT, bringing over $60 million into the state each year.
  • 3SquaresVT participation in Vermont increased by 13% in 2008, 51% since 2003. 
  • To date, over 280,000 people have accessed VTCECH’s 3SquaresVT website, www.vermontfoodhelp.com, which provides eligibility and application information.
  • 22 trainings and presentations provided technical assistance and outreach strategies to over 500 service providers and advocates from around the state.
• Summer Meal and Enrichment Program
  • In 2008, approximately 5,650 children received nutritious meals at sites across the state, approximately 150 more kids than last year.
  • An estimated 11 new meal sites opened in 2008, serving an additional 240 children.
  • In the spring of 2008, VTCECH held its first regional training for summer food site staff. This event provided training on fundraising and programming, and was also a unique opportunity for networking and collaboration.
• Cooking for Life
  • In 2008, VTCECH offered 67 six-week Cooking for Life series, serving 786 low-income Vermont youth, young adults, and parents.
  • Cooking for Life series were held in 62 locations statewide.
  • VTCECH collaborated with 33 new community partners including schools, community and youth centers, communities of faith, WIC offices, low-income housing developments, and parent-child centers.
• Early Childhood Nutrition Outreach Project
  • 229 child care sites participated in CACFP in 2008.
  • 10 additional child care centers with 14 sites serving over 430 children began providing meals through CACFP.  In addition, 24 centers serving over 900 children have initiated the CACFP enrollment process.
  • 12 trainings offered technical assistance to over 320 child care professionals, policy makers, program administrators, and advocates.
  • Providers interested in the food program can now go to VTCECH’s website to get an online estimate of their meal reimbursement.