USDA Deputy Undersecretary Janey Thornton Visits VT

School Nutrition Directors, Afterschool Program Directors, and VT Department of Education

Deputy Undersecretary, Janey Thornton; Regional Administrator, James Arena-DeRosa;

Child Nutrition Advocacy Manager, Anore Horton; Phil Fiermonte Outreach Director for Senator Sanders

On Monday we had the pleasure of hosting USDA Deputy Undersecretary, Janey Thornton in Vermont. Thanks to an invitation from Senator Sanders' team, Dr. Thornton joined Hunger Free Vermont staff and our state partners to discuss the challenges of using the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).  In Vermont our schools and afterschool programs work hard to provide meals during critical times for children age birth to 18.  However, there are many regulatory barriers to accessing the program which deters many childcare centers and schools from using CACFP to feed children.  Currently Vermont ranks in the bottom 5 states in childcare centers using CACFP.  Many more schools and afterschool programs in Vermont could run the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program, but feel they lack the staff and administrative capacity to apply for and run an additional federal nutrition program.  We were grateful for Dr. Thornton's openness to hearing our feedback about the program and we provided her with a long list of policy changes needed to operate CACFP in a rural state.  This meeting was just another example of Vermont's great collaborative partnerships. Schools, state agencies, and non-profit organization regularly work together to end hunger for our children by coming together with a united voice.  We were pleased and grateful to be part of this productive discussion!