WESTMINSTER, Vt. – Vermont Emergency Eats (VEE) continues to distribute meals to flood-impacted Vermonters through September and October in areas of the state where the need continues.
Thanks to an extension authorized by the state, the Vermont Emergency Eats program, which was originally set for 30 days, will continue for up to 90 days in areas hardest hit by the recent flooding.
Based on the Covid-era Vermont Everyone Eats program, this new short-term emergency program is the result of a joint effort between the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA).
“Reawakening the Vermont Everyone Eats network that was developed and managed by SEVCA during the pandemic has made it possible for the state to distribute local, restaurant-prepared emergency meals to Vermonters whose access to food has been impacted by flooding in their communities, while also providing recovery support to those local restaurants,” said Gary Holloway, ACCD’s downtown program manager.
Since early August, Vermont Emergency Eats has been engaging local restaurants in providing prepared meals in response to the flooding that hit numerous communities earlier this summer. Meals are available to Vermonters whose access to food remains compromised in the aftermath of this disaster.
“Using what we learned through the Vermont Everyone Eats pandemic relief program and applying it to meet short-term flooding recovery needs through the new Vermont Emergency Eats program reflects the value of cross-sector collaboration, support for our local restaurants and farmers, and local solutions to local needs,” said Kathleen Devlin, SEVCA’s Interim Executive Director.
Vermont Emergency Eats is administered by SEVCA through a statewide network of hubs, including Capstone Community Action, Center for an Agricultural Economy, Chester Helping Hands, Green Mountain Farm To School, The Giving Fridge, Springfield Family Center, and Vermont Farmers Food Center.
Meals are available in the following counties: Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor. Call 211, or visit www.vtemergencyeats.org for more information.