From left, Chris Meehan, John Sayles and Sarah Keblin. Courtesy photo.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Food Security Coalition received an award at the Feeding America national conference in April for its “extraordinary commitment to supporting neighbors facing hunger.” The recognition includes a $10,000 gift.
Feeding America - the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization - supports a network of food banks and other food access organizations that helped provide 5.9 billion meals in 2025. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of this network, and the Vermont Food Security Coalition were recognized for their collaborative development of a 10-year Food Security Roadmap which was developed with the input and voices of more than 600 people in Vermont. Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles accepted the award at the conference.
“The Coalition is pursuing a vision where everyone in Vermont will be food secure by 2035,” said Sayles. “We’re honored that this collaborative effort is being recognized on a national stage and hope it can inform other states working toward a similar goal.”
The Food Security Coalition was in action just last week. Several Coalition members traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Vermont’s federal congressional delegation. The group had substantive conversations with Senator Sanders, Senator Welch, and Congresswoman Balint about supporting critical federal food programs - especially SNAP (called 3SquaresVT in Vermont) because it is still our most efficient and effective anti-hunger program. The group also took the opportunity to share updates and information from communities across Vermont.
Feeding America credited the organizations with “taking the long view on supporting neighbors facing hunger.” The initiative has already produced tangible results, including securing state funding for local food distribution, strengthening access to services through Vermont 211, expanding tax credits for low-income families, and increasing SNAP access to locally grown produce.
Five additional food banks from Feeding America’s 250-member network were also recognized. Denis McDonough, CEO of Feeding America, reflected on the honorees’ impact: “These innovative organizations show what’s possible when food banks center neighbors facing hunger—listening first, then acting boldly. Their work demonstrates how collaboration and creativity can strengthen food systems and communities alike.”
The award is sponsored by H-E-B, whose $10,000 gift will support the Coalition’s ongoing work.
About Vermont Foodbank: Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically and Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the food they need. Vermont Foodbank provides over 14 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. A member of Feeding America, Vermont Foodbank is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation. Learn more at www.vtfoodbank.org
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