WESTMINSTER — Vermont Everyone Eats (VEE), the COVID-19 response program that provides meal assistance while supporting local restaurants, farmers, and food producers, will continue through April 1.
This additional extension - its fourth - is made possible thanks to the continued commitment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover the costs of what was originally designed as a five-month program.
Vermont Everyone Eats provides nutritious meals to Vermonters in need of food assistance as well as a stabilizing source of income for restaurants, farmers, and food producers in the state.
The program operates at 11 community hubs throughout the state, including a statewide digital app.
Since 2020, more than 260 restaurants have prepared more than 1.9 million meals for Vermonters affected by the pandemic.
VEE is funded by a contract provided by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development with Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) in Westminster to manage the program.
The program was inspired by grassroots initiatives from communities across the state. Vermont lawmakers allocated funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to launch the program, which was subsequently extended with FEMA funding.
SEVCA Executive Director Steve Geller said in a news release that “the program is expecting to celebrate the incredible milestone of providing its 2 millionth meal early in the new year, and we at SEVCA and everyone connected with it throughout the state are very proud of helping that to happen.”
“We hope it can continue for as long as it's needed,” he added.
If you are looking for an Everyone Eats meal in Windham County, here are the places individuals can pick up directly: Retreat Farm farmstand on Route 30 in Brattleboro: Tuesdays and Thursdays after 5 p.m.; Winston Prouty Center in Brattleboro, Wednesdays at 3 p.m.; through an organization such as the Brattleboro Boys & Girls Club, Foodworks, or Dummerston Cares; or using the Localvore App (everyoneeatsvt.com) to order Everyone Eats meals directly from participating restaurants using the App.