Rep. Heather Surprenant: Raw Milk, Expanding WIC, and Food Justice | Feb. 26 2021

Feb 26

Friend,

This is Rep. Heather Surprenant with your weekly legislative update. As an organic farmer from Barnard, I know firsthand the struggles faced by our agricultural communities and am committed to fighting for progressive change to uplift and protect rural Vermonters. I’m excited to share with you some of the legislation I’ve been working on in the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. I’ve also been working on some bills that would expand land accessibility to BIPOC farmers and expand access to farmers’ market produce for low-income Vermonters.

But first-- Progressive legislators cannot do our work without a strong Progressive network. I would love for you to become a donor to the Progressive Party. Your contribution would add fuel to this movement and help us continue to push for progressive change for rural Vermonters!

Unpasteurized Raw Milk Bill

I’m very proud of the first bill I’ve introduced- H.218, an act relating to the sale of unpasteurized raw milk. Raw milk is a highly regulated product in Vermont, and as it currently stands, farmers who produce raw milk are only able to sell their product on their farms. This causes a number of issues both for the farmers and for consumers who are trying to access this product. By only allowing farmers to sell their product at the farm where it is produced and not allowing them to sell through CSA’s or farmstands, potential sales of the product become severely limited. It also makes the product quite inaccessible to consumers. What this bill would do is allow farmers to sell their raw, unpasteurized milk at CSAs and farmstands, enabling them to reach more customers and giving consumers easier access to this product.

This bill is important not only because it will allow farmers to increase raw milk sales, but also because it will help foster a more community-centered model for our local food systems. Allowing farmers to work collaboratively with other producers to sell their products to a wider group can make agriculture less independent and more community-oriented.

WIC Expansion Bill

In addition to the Raw Milk Bill, I’ve been working on a bill with Rep. Mari Codes that would push for the expansion of WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) to be eligible for use at farmers markets. Allowing WIC cards to be used at farmers’ markets in addition to supermarkets would give those who are WIC eligible healthier, more diverse options, such as what those who use 3SquaresVT/SNAP are able to do. Rep. Cordes and I are hoping to introduce this bill to the house floor next week.

Farm, Food Justice, and Racial Equity Act

Another act I’m working on in collaboration with former State Rep. Kiah Morris is the Farm, Food Justice, and Racial Equity act. This bill would address some barriers to entry into the agricultural sector by providing increased access for some marginalized individuals and small, independent entities to enter into the sector as farmers, food producers, cannabis growers, and more. It would also promote sustainable ecological practices and fair labor standards (such as a $15 minimum wage, access to collective bargaining rights, and high-quality benefits for workers). Finally, this initiative would create programs to equip workers with the skills they need for any job created through this legislation.

Thank you so much for joining me this week. I’m grateful for your continued support and am looking forward to finding more ways we can work for sustainable, equitable change for all Vermonters!

In solidarity,

Rep. Heather Surprenant, Windsor 4-1

Progressives in the News

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Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, Rep. Selene Colburn, Rep Brian Cina

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Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky

On ‘Recovery Day,’ advocates say Vermont needs new approach to opioid crisis- Dein Bates, ABC News10

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