Vermont Democrats and Advocates Reject Governor Scott’s Plan to Cut Universal School Meals

Today, Vermont House and Senate Democrats joined superintendents and advocates to make clear their commitment to maintaining Universal School Meals – a program that guarantees two meals a day for every Vermont student.

Universal school meals have saved Vermont families an average of $1,500 per child annually, amounting to tens of millions of dollars in savings since its passage in 2023. This program is working – it’s saving parents’ time and money, greatly contributing to our farm-to-table economy, and guaranteeing that hunger is never an obstacle to a kid's educational success.

Despite the program’s unanimous, bipartisan support in its committee of jurisdiction and members of the Republican caucus making public statements about its cost-effectiveness, Governor Scott is hoping to repeal it.

Senate Majority Leader Kesha Ram Hinsdale said, “As parents, we think about whether or not our kids are hungry from the moment they wake up to when they go to bed. We need them to start the day and end the day with full bellies. Providing meals at school gives parents less worry and stress, more quality time with their kids, and the peace of mind that their kids are getting the same nutritious meal as every other child.

”Senator Bobby Starr said, “We don’t need to make Vermont more affordable on the backs of our children. I’ve never gotten a single phone call from a constituent complaining about universal school meals.”

Gaston Bathalon, Chair of North Country Supervisory Union said, “Universal school meals take away barriers. Hunger has no place in our classrooms, but removing universal school meals would bring that hunger back.”

Senator Joe Major said, “We are here today because Universal School Meals is under attack—not because it isn’t working, but because it is. Governor Scott won’t say the quiet part out loud: that he wants to cut a program that is efficient, cost-effective, and overwhelmingly supported by Vermonters.”

Rep. Heather Surprenant, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture, stated, “When schools can consistently purchase fresh, local food, it provides farmers with the financial security they need to sustain and grow their operations. But it’s more than just economics—these partnerships build lasting relationships between schools and the farmers who feed our communities. Investing in local farms through school meal programs keeps food dollars in our communities, supports the next generation of farmers, and ensures that every child has access to fresh, nutritious meals grown right in their own backyard.”

“From a personal perspective as a parent of young children and as a school board chair, this program delivers a critical safety net of nutrition for the many food insecure low- and middle-class families sending kids to our schools, ” said Robert Carpenter, Chair of the Essex/Westford School District Board.