Financial Assistance Programs for Food

3SquaresVT is a nutrition program that helps you put healthy food on the table. If you meet income guidelines, you’ll get money every month that you can use to buy food.  You can receive these funds as cash in the bank or on a card just like a debit card. The card can be used at almost 600 stores in Vermont, including many supermarkets, local general stores, convenience stores, and even farmers markets and community-based co-ops. If everyone in your household is 65 years or older, 3SquaresVT benefits may be deposited directly into your bank account and used just like you would use any funds in your account.

3SquaresVT in a SNAP is an even easier program. If everyone in your household is at least 60 years old (or receiving disability benefits), and no one is earning income from employment, the application process is shorter and easier – and you keep your benefits for three years with no additional paperwork!

Crop Cash is a program that allows you to stretch your budget even further!  If you participate in the 3SquaresVT program, you can double your buying power at many Farmer’s Markets! For every dollar in 3SquaresVT that you spend, you will receive a $1 match to spend at the market, up to $20 per day!  Participating markets include Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Hartland, Ludlow, Norwich, Putney, Townshend, and Woodstock.


Call the Senior Solutions Helpline at 802-885-2669 to find out if you’re eligible and to get help applying for any of the above programs.  

In-Person Assistance in the Community
Liz Carey, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) outreach specialist for Senior Solutions, is providing on-site assistance at the Black River Valley Senior Center in Ludlow, the Brattleboro Senior Center, the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, the Springfield Senior Center, and the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock.  Scheduled hours will also be held at The Bellows Falls Senior Center when at that facility.

For appointments, email or call Liz directly at (802) 773-7917.


Vermont Food Bank
The Vermont Food Bank works through local Food Shelves to offer groceries to low-income residents.

Federal Supplemental Food Program
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a USDA nutrition program that offers free monthly nutrition boxes containing items such as canned fruits & veggies, fruit juices, cereals, and cheese.  All Vermonters aged 60 and over who meet income guidelines are eligible.  

 

Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov . This institution is an equal opportunity provider.