2020-11-09T14:24:06-06:00 2019-12-31 030280081 JMM & ASSOCIATES PC 336 WATER TOWER CIR STE 801 COLCHESTER VT 05446 990 2019-01-01 030336357 HUNGER FREE VERMONT INC HUNG 8028650255 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 ANORE HORTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8028650255 2020-09-28 true RANDALL L SARGENT CPA P00136499 8026555665 2020-11-03 64.88.174.3 2020-11-09 14:24:06 CS P 1AD411E049554EB474F1A76C7C0DE76A84237027 0BD8C7B9FD1D0C7ED9C03F6452922997EE0822D4 2019 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z ANORE HORTON 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 1302657 false X WWW.HUNGERFREEVT.ORG X 1993 VT TO END THE INJUSTICE OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION FOR ALL VERMONTERS. 10 10 15 1000 0 1020608 1293544 20231 6131 569 1332 2750 1650 1044158 1302657 26212 28471 0 795736 820559 0 170310 246395 280747 1068343 1129777 -24185 172880 510243 630871 87024 34772 423219 596099 X TO END THE INJUSTICE OF HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION FOR ALL VERMONTERS. false false 256027 2980 FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IMPROVES ACCESS TO AND PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT (KNOWN NATIONALLY AS SNAP) WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE, CONSISTENT, AND DIGNIFIED MEANS TO PREVENT HUNGER IN THE US. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM, REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, AND TRAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DO APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT STAFF PROVIDED 24 TRAININGS TO OVER 400 SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS VERMONT WITH ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO HELP VERMONTERS APPLY FOR 3SQUARESVT. IN 2001 THERE WERE ONLY 38,558 PARTICIPANTS. LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF OVER 70,000 VERMONTERS PARTICIPATED EACH MONTH, AND OUR STATE IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR REACHING MANY OF THOSE ELIGIBLE. OUR FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES TEAM ALSO WORKS TO EXPAND EBT USE AT FARMERS MARKETS, RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE VALUE OF 3SQUARESVT, AND ENGAGES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING SNAP FROM HARMFUL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND CUTS. 213597 3000 650 CHILD NUTRITION INITIATIVES SCHOOL AGE INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT ASSISTS SCHOOLS, TOWNS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN ESTABLISHING, AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN ALL OF THE FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO OPERATE. THESE INCLUDE SCHOOL BREAKFAST, SCHOOL LUNCH, AFTERSCHOOL MEALS AND SNACKS, AND SUMMER MEALS. THESE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS PROVIDE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF NUTRITION FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, AND ALSO REDUCE FAMILY FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MUST SPEND TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE WEEK. DURING SCHOOL YEAR 2018-19, HUNGER FREE VERMONT PROVIDED CUSTOMIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 55 UNIQUE VERMONT SUPERVISORY UNIONS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, RESULTING IN 1,480 CHILDREN RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE NEW, REGULAR MEAL. SUMMER MEALS EXPANSION: BECAUSE SUMMER IS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TIME FOR FOOD INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND BECAUSE SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS REACH ONLY A FRACTION OF ALL LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM, HUNGER FREE VERMONT DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES TO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A SUMMER MEAL SITE FOR THE FULL TEN WEEKS OF SUMMER VACATION EACH YEAR. WE DO THIS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING THROUGH OUR HUNGER COUNCILS, AND A CONCERTED MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. AS A RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, VERMONT RANKED 2 IN THE NATION IN 2019 IN REACHING LOW-INCOME CHILDREN THROUGH THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM. SCHOOL NUTRITION PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROJECT: IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION FOR SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE PROFESSIONALS AS THEY WORK TO IMPROVE SCHOOL MEAL QUALITY AND ACCESS, HUNGER FREE VERMONT PARTNERED WITH THE SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT AND VERMONT FEED (THE STATEWIDE FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK) TO DEVELOP AND PILOT A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMMITTED TO TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN SCHOOL NUTRITION. UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY AFFECT MANY VERMONT FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME MAKES THEM INELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS. IN ADDITION, MANY STUDENTS WILL NOT USE THEIR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, DUE TO STIGMA. IN ADDITION, WHEN ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE MORE LOCAL FOOD, AND CAN SERVE HIGHER QUALITY MEALS. HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS THEREFORE COMMITTED TO MAKING SCHOOL MEALS A UNIVERSAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ALL VERMONT SCHOOLS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ADVOCACY TO BRING ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE. BECAUSE OF OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS, 78 SCHOOLS IN VERMONT (24%) OFFERED UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS IN 2019. EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: BECAUSE GOOD NUTRITION IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL WHILE A YOUNG CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPING, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS HELPING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BUILD NUTRITION INTO THE CORE OF THEIR PROGRAMS. IN 2019 HUNGER FREE VERMONT CONDUCTED FREE TRAININGS ON NUTRITION TO DIRECTORS AND WORKERS REPRESENTING CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES FROM AROUND THE STATE, SERVING APPROXIMATELY 251 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ALSO SERVES AS THE VOICE FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS IN CHILDCARE IN COALITIONS ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE CAPACITY IN VERMONT. 99432 2500 ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION COMMUNITY EDUCATION: HUNGER FREE VERMONT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT HUNGER AND EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL LEADERS TO ADDRESS HUNGER THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THROUGH THE HUNGER COUNCILS OF VERMONT. THE 10 HUNGER COUNCILS INVOLVE ABOUT 1,000 LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEARNING ABOUT HUNGER AND IMPROVING COMMUNITY AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY. THE HUNGER COUNCILS COORDINATE EFFORTS AND BUILD STRONG NUTRITION SAFETY NETS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL AND STATEWIDE. THE HUNGER COUNCILS ALSO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ARE A FORUM FOR HIGHLIGHTING AND ADDRESSING EMERGING CHALLENGES IN COMMUNITIES. THIS PROJECT IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HUNGER: BY EDUCATING COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT HUNGER IN THEIR REGIONS AND PROVIDING TOOLS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION AND REDUCE HUNGER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. NUTRITION EDUCATION: IN 2019 HUNGER FREE VERMONT EXPANDED OUR NUTRITION EDUCATION EFFORTS TO HELP MORE VERMONT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DEVELOP LIFELONG HEALTHY EATING HABITS BY DEVELOPING A NEW ONLINE RESOURCES HUB. THIS HUB MAKES ALL OF OUR VALUABLE NUTRITION EDUCATION RESOURCES FREELY AVAILABLE TO TEACHERS, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY CENTER STAFF TO USE TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIFELONG HEALTH OF ALL THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS VERMONT'S PRINCIPAL ANTI- HUNGER AUTHORITY AND LEADING FOOD SECURITY POLICY ADVOCATE. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WAS THE PRIMARY FORCE BEHIND ACT 22, WHICH GREATLY INCREASED ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM IN 2003. IN 2008, WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED TO EXPAND 3SQUARESVT, AND IN 2014, THANKS TO LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY HUNGER FREE VERMONT, VERMONT BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO ALL LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. MORE RECENTLY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S ADVOCACY HAS LED TO VERMONT BECOMING THE FIRST STATE TO INVEST IN UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE VERMONT FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM -- QUADRUPLING FUNDING AND MAKING THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN, A MULTI-YEAR LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO BRING SCHOOL MEALS TO ALL VERMONT STUDENTS AT NO COST TO THEIR HOUSEHOLD. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO LED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE SNAP PROGRAM FROM HARMFUL RULE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. HUNGER FREE VERMONT CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF VERMONTERS. FOOD AS MEDICINE: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS ALSO COMMITTED TO BETTER CONNECTING HUNGER AS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROVIDERS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUNGER AND HEALTH AND IS IMPLEMENTING FOOD INSECURITY SCREENING AND REFERRAL PROTOCOLS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS. 271878 25471 OTHER PROGRAMS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HUNGER-FREE GRAND ISLE COUNTY: FROM 2017 THROUGH 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT WAS THE LEAD ORGANIZATION COORDINATING A COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERSHIP WITH 10 OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND NORTHWEST VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT CREATIVE PROJECTS TO REDUCE HUNGER AMONG VARIOUS POPULATIONS (CHILDREN, SENIORS, ETC.) IN GRAND ISLE COUNTY. GRAND ISLE COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST ISOLATED IN VERMONT, LACKING EVEN ONE FULL-SERVICE GROCERY STORE, AND EXPERIENCES HIGHER LEVELS OF FOOD INSECURITY THAN VERMONT'S STATEWIDE AVERAGE. FIVE DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS WERE LAUNCHED IN 2017 AND CONTINUED THROUGH 2019, INCLUDING: PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET; MAILING NUTRITION RESOURCE MATERIALS TO ALL FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN GRAND ISLE SCHOOLS; WORKING WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS IN GRAND ISLE COUNTY TO SCREEN THEIR PATIENTS FOR HUNGER; DEVELOPING A RESOURCE GUIDE TO HELP TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS STEER PEOPLE IN NEED TO NUTRITION ASSISTANCE; AND DELIVERING PRODUCE TO MEALS ON WHEELS RECIPIENTS TO INCREASE THEIR CONSUMPTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. BEFORE COMPLETING ITS OFFICIAL MANDATE, THE PARTNERSHIP WORKED TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS INTO 2020 AND BEYOND. 271878 25471 840934 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 15 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 10 10 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false X X X GRETCHEN STERN 8028650255 38 EASTWOOD DRIVE SUITE 100 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05403 ANORE HORTON EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 80795 0 2424 ALISON BELL LEFT JUNE 2019 DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMY LEVINE LEFT JUNE 2019 DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAMELA PUTHOOR LEFT JUNE 2019 DIRECTOR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DARREN ALLEN BOARD CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 COLLEEN BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF DANNIES TREASURER/MO 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CATHY DAVIS VICE CHAIR/S 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ERIN HEINS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LISA HELMHOLZ-ADAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 NICOLE ROHRIG REILLY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL SIROTKIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN TUNNICLIFFE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KEN WHITE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 80795 2424 false false false 263714 1029830 1870 1293544 CONFERENCES/STIPENDS/OTHER 611430 6131 6131 6131 1332 1332 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 1650 1650 1650 1302657 7781 1332 28471 28471 83218 64910 9154 9154 569322 413652 62968 92702 16892 12229 1912 2751 99911 73034 11269 15608 51216 37438 5777 8001 5400 5400 69832 60959 8873 4715 4715 29586 12247 2368 14971 9059 5022 3866 171 102906 75359 11416 16131 17263 16675 42 546 3857 2459 934 464 1200 876 132 192 4746 3478 522 746 PROGRAM EXPENSES 29345 29173 172 MISCELLANEOUS 2838 237 2601 1129777 840934 118533 170310 269690 404287 69159 102449 168981 115222 7700 85358 84145 2413 1213 510243 630871 37024 34772 50000 87024 34772 X 170177 264105 253042 331994 423219 596099 510243 630871 172880 X false true X true false X 1009548 914462 1197843 1020608 1293544 5436005 1009548 914462 1197843 1020608 1293544 5436005 403528 5032477 1103 87 380 569 1332 3471 62048 62048 5501524 72581 0.91470 0.93250 X PART II, LINE 10 62,048 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false true 816 false false 816 false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B, LINE 1 IN 2019, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN LIMITED ALLOWABLE LOBBYING ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDED SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF A BILL TO INCREASE VERMONT'S MINIMUM WAGE AS A MEMBER OF A STATEWIDE COALITION, SUPPORTING EFFORTS BY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE STATE FARM TO SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD GRANTS PROGRAM, AND PARTICIPATING IN COALITIONS SUPPORTING A PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM AND INCREASED CASH BENEFITS FOR VERMONTERS PARTICIPATING IN THE REACH UP PROGRAM. IN ADDITION THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED THE RENEWAL OF THE HEALTHY HUNGER FREE KIDS ACT. 1784 1784 51699 1581 51496 1784 false false 53572 52359 1213 31786 31786 1213 X 1302657 1302657 1302657 1129777 1129777 1129777 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X HUNGER FREE VERMONT INC. BELIEVES THAT IT HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR ANY TAX POSITIONS TAKEN AND, AS SUCH, DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT ARE MATERIAL TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. true NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING 75 FAIRFIELD STREET ST ALBANS VT 05478 030223756 501C3 7800 HEALTHY ROOTS CIDER PO BOX 13 SOUTH HERO VT 05486 050471886 501C3 5304 TRANSPORTATION UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST VERMONT 412 FARRELL ST SUITE 2200 SOUTH BURLINGTON VT 05043 030217229 501C3 5200 FOOD ACCESS 3 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING GRANT FUNDS: FOR ANY REGRANTING FUNDS, RECIPIENTS MUST SUBMIT AN ITEMIZED INVOICE TO HFVT SHOWING THE EXPENSES INCURRED, AND HUNGER FREE VERMONT REIMBURSES THE FUNDS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IMPROVES ACCESS TO AND PARTICIPATION IN 3SQUARESVT (KNOWN NATIONALLY AS SNAP) WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE, CONSISTENT, AND DIGNIFIED MEANS TO PREVENT HUNGER IN THE US. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM, REMOVE BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, AND TRAIN SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO DO APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO ENSURE ALL THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT STAFF PROVIDED 24 TRAININGS TO OVER 400 SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS VERMONT WITH ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO HELP VERMONTERS APPLY FOR 3SQUARESVT. IN 2001 THERE WERE ONLY 38,558 PARTICIPANTS. LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF OVER 70,000 VERMONTERS PARTICIPATED EACH MONTH, AND OUR STATE IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR REACHING MANY OF THOSE ELIGIBLE. OUR FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES TEAM ALSO WORKS TO EXPAND EBT USE AT FARMERS MARKETS, RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE VALUE OF 3SQUARESVT, AND ENGAGES PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING SNAP FROM HARMFUL ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND CUTS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B CHILD NUTRITION INITIATIVES SCHOOL AGE INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT ASSISTS SCHOOLS, TOWNS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN ESTABLISHING, AND EXPANDING PARTICIPATION IN ALL OF THE FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO OPERATE. THESE INCLUDE SCHOOL BREAKFAST, SCHOOL LUNCH, AFTERSCHOOL MEALS AND SNACKS, AND SUMMER MEALS. THESE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS PROVIDE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF NUTRITION FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, AND ALSO REDUCE FAMILY FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MUST SPEND TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE WEEK. DURING SCHOOL YEAR 2018-19, HUNGER FREE VERMONT PROVIDED CUSTOMIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 55 UNIQUE VERMONT SUPERVISORY UNIONS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, RESULTING IN 1,480 CHILDREN RECEIVING AT LEAST ONE NEW, REGULAR MEAL. SUMMER MEALS EXPANSION: BECAUSE SUMMER IS A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TIME FOR FOOD INSECURE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, AND BECAUSE SUMMER MEAL PROGRAMS REACH ONLY A FRACTION OF ALL LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM, HUNGER FREE VERMONT DEVOTES CONSIDERABLE STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES TO EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE ACCESS TO A SUMMER MEAL SITE FOR THE FULL TEN WEEKS OF SUMMER VACATION EACH YEAR. WE DO THIS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING THROUGH OUR HUNGER COUNCILS, AND A CONCERTED MEDIA AND ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. AS A RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, VERMONT RANKED 2 IN THE NATION IN 2019 IN REACHING LOW-INCOME CHILDREN THROUGH THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM. SCHOOL NUTRITION PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION PROJECT: IN AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION FOR SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE PROFESSIONALS AS THEY WORK TO IMPROVE SCHOOL MEAL QUALITY AND ACCESS, HUNGER FREE VERMONT PARTNERED WITH THE SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION OF VERMONT AND VERMONT FEED (THE STATEWIDE FARM TO SCHOOL NETWORK) TO DEVELOP AND PILOT A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMMITTED TO TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN SCHOOL NUTRITION. UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN: HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY AFFECT MANY VERMONT FAMILIES WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME MAKES THEM INELIGIBLE FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS. IN ADDITION, MANY STUDENTS WILL NOT USE THEIR SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ELIGIBLE, DUE TO STIGMA. IN ADDITION, WHEN ALL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE MORE LOCAL FOOD, AND CAN SERVE HIGHER QUALITY MEALS. HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS THEREFORE COMMITTED TO MAKING SCHOOL MEALS A UNIVERSAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PART OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AT ALL VERMONT SCHOOLS THROUGH DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ADVOCACY TO BRING ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE. BECAUSE OF OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS, 78 SCHOOLS IN VERMONT (24%) OFFERED UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS IN 2019. EARLY CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: BECAUSE GOOD NUTRITION IS ESPECIALLY CRUCIAL WHILE A YOUNG CHILD'S BRAIN IS DEVELOPING, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS HELPING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS BUILD NUTRITION INTO THE CORE OF THEIR PROGRAMS. IN 2019 HUNGER FREE VERMONT CONDUCTED FREE TRAININGS ON NUTRITION TO DIRECTORS AND WORKERS REPRESENTING CHILDCARE CENTERS AND HOMES FROM AROUND THE STATE, SERVING APPROXIMATELY 251 YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. HUNGER FREE VERMONT ALSO SERVES AS THE VOICE FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS IN CHILDCARE IN COALITIONS ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVING AND EXPANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE CAPACITY IN VERMONT. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION COMMUNITY EDUCATION: HUNGER FREE VERMONT RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT HUNGER AND EMPOWERS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL LEADERS TO ADDRESS HUNGER THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THROUGH THE HUNGER COUNCILS OF VERMONT. THE 10 HUNGER COUNCILS INVOLVE ABOUT 1,000 LOCAL LEADERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEARNING ABOUT HUNGER AND IMPROVING COMMUNITY AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY. THE HUNGER COUNCILS COORDINATE EFFORTS AND BUILD STRONG NUTRITION SAFETY NETS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL AND STATEWIDE. THE HUNGER COUNCILS ALSO RESPOND TO COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ARE A FORUM FOR HIGHLIGHTING AND ADDRESSING EMERGING CHALLENGES IN COMMUNITIES. THIS PROJECT IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HUNGER: BY EDUCATING COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT HUNGER IN THEIR REGIONS AND PROVIDING TOOLS TO IMPROVE NUTRITION AND REDUCE HUNGER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. NUTRITION EDUCATION: IN 2019 HUNGER FREE VERMONT EXPANDED OUR NUTRITION EDUCATION EFFORTS TO HELP MORE VERMONT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DEVELOP LIFELONG HEALTHY EATING HABITS BY DEVELOPING A NEW ONLINE RESOURCES HUB. THIS HUB MAKES ALL OF OUR VALUABLE NUTRITION EDUCATION RESOURCES FREELY AVAILABLE TO TEACHERS, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF, CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, AND COMMUNITY CENTER STAFF TO USE TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LIFELONG HEALTH OF ALL THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THEY SERVE. ADVOCACY INITIATIVES: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS VERMONT'S PRINCIPAL ANTI- HUNGER AUTHORITY AND LEADING FOOD SECURITY POLICY ADVOCATE. HUNGER FREE VERMONT WAS THE PRIMARY FORCE BEHIND ACT 22, WHICH GREATLY INCREASED ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAM IN 2003. IN 2008, WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED TO EXPAND 3SQUARESVT, AND IN 2014, THANKS TO LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY HUNGER FREE VERMONT, VERMONT BECAME THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO ALL LOW-INCOME STUDENTS. MORE RECENTLY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S ADVOCACY HAS LED TO VERMONT BECOMING THE FIRST STATE TO INVEST IN UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS AND A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE VERMONT FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM -- QUADRUPLING FUNDING AND MAKING THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS. IN 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT LAUNCHED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS CAMPAIGN, A MULTI-YEAR LEGISLATIVE EFFORT TO BRING SCHOOL MEALS TO ALL VERMONT STUDENTS AT NO COST TO THEIR HOUSEHOLD. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO LED COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE SNAP PROGRAM FROM HARMFUL RULE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. HUNGER FREE VERMONT CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC SECURITY OF VERMONTERS. FOOD AS MEDICINE: HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS ALSO COMMITTED TO BETTER CONNECTING HUNGER AS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, HUNGER FREE VERMONT IS EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROVIDERS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HUNGER AND HEALTH AND IS IMPLEMENTING FOOD INSECURITY SCREENING AND REFERRAL PROTOCOLS IN MEDICAL SETTINGS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D OTHER PROGRAMS PARTNERSHIP FOR A HUNGER-FREE GRAND ISLE COUNTY: FROM 2017 THROUGH 2019, HUNGER FREE VERMONT WAS THE LEAD ORGANIZATION COORDINATING A COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERSHIP WITH 10 OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND NORTHWEST VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT CREATIVE PROJECTS TO REDUCE HUNGER AMONG VARIOUS POPULATIONS (CHILDREN, SENIORS, ETC.) IN GRAND ISLE COUNTY. GRAND ISLE COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST ISOLATED IN VERMONT, LACKING EVEN ONE FULL-SERVICE GROCERY STORE, AND EXPERIENCES HIGHER LEVELS OF FOOD INSECURITY THAN VERMONT'S STATEWIDE AVERAGE. FIVE DIFFERENT EXPERIMENTAL PROJECTS WERE LAUNCHED IN 2017 AND CONTINUED THROUGH 2019, INCLUDING: PROVIDING FREE TRANSPORTATION AND FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS FARMERS MARKET; MAILING NUTRITION RESOURCE MATERIALS TO ALL FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN GRAND ISLE SCHOOLS; WORKING WITH MEDICAL PROVIDERS IN GRAND ISLE COUNTY TO SCREEN THEIR PATIENTS FOR HUNGER; DEVELOPING A RESOURCE GUIDE TO HELP TRUSTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS STEER PEOPLE IN NEED TO NUTRITION ASSISTANCE; AND DELIVERING PRODUCE TO MEALS ON WHEELS RECIPIENTS TO INCREASE THEIR CONSUMPTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. BEFORE COMPLETING ITS OFFICIAL MANDATE, THE PARTNERSHIP WORKED TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS INTO 2020 AND BEYOND. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, BOARD CHAIR, AND MONITORING OFFICER REVIEW THE 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE BOARD AND STAFF DISCUSS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND REVIEW ANY SCENARIO WHICH POTENTIALLY CAUSES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR STAFF OR BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL EVALUATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DETERMINES IF AN INCREASE IN COMPENSATION IS WARRANTED. FOR 2019, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DECLINED TO ACCEPT THE SALARY INCREASE PROPOSED BY THE BOARD BASED UPON AN ANALYSIS THAT SHOWED THAT THE GAP BETWEEN THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE PROGRAM AREA DIRECTORS WAS WIDER AT HUNGER FREE VERMONT THAN AT COMPARABLE NONPROFITS IN VERMONT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION HAS BEEN INCREASED USING THE SAME DECOMPRESSION CALCULATION USED FOR ALL STAFF IN PAST YEARS, BUT CONTINUING THIS PRACTICE WILL ONLY WIDEN THE COMPENSATION GAP IDENTIFIED BY THE BOARD AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SO THIS METHOD OF DETERMINING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION WILL NO LONGER BE USED. INSTEAD, THE BOARD WILL DETERMINE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION BASED UPON: (1) THE SUCCESSFUL FULFILLMENT OF THE OUTCOMES PROMISED TO FUNDERS BY THE ORGANIZATION; (2) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SUCCESS IN ADDRESSING SPECIFIC GROWTH AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE BOARD IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION; (3) AN ANALYSIS OF HUNGER FREE VERMONT'S EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION COMPARED TO THAT OF COMPARABLE NONPROFITS AS PRESENTED IN THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF NONPROFIT COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY COMMON GOOD VERMONT; AND (4) THE STATE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCES AND REVENUE PLAN OUTLOOK FOR THE RELEVANT CALENDAR YEAR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC.