Sen. Sanders believes that small, family farms are fundamentally important for Vermont and America as a whole. In his years representing the Green Mountain State, Sen. Sanders has worked to help Vermont’s struggling dairy industry, support sustainable and organic farming, and ensure good nutrition for every American.

Moreover, Sen Sanders believes that, in the richest country in the history of the world, hunger is a political choice. We need to increase nutrition assistance and ensure all kids have healthy school meals.

Dairy

Sen. Sanders believes that dairy is a vital part of the fabric of Vermont’s communities and a central part of the state’s rural economy. In fact, dairy accounts for $2.2 billion of economic activity and 80% of agricultural land in Vermont. Sadly, dairy farmers have faced years for low milk prices and many are struggling to survive on the same prices they received in the 1980s. Vermont has lost almost 400 dairies in the past decade—a 40 percent decline. He is committed to finding a sustainable future for dairy farms.

In 2018, Sen. Sanders introduced legislation to address the dairy crisis and provide much-needed emergency relief to dairy farmers in Vermont and throughout the United States. This was a short-term measure that mirrored his successful inclusion of emergency dairy payments in the 2009 appropriations bill. Sen. Sanders believes farmers deserve a fair price for their milk, and he supports a supply-management system.

“This is a crisis. Hard-working farmers are losing their livelihoods, their homes and their way of life. And, as farms disappear, so do the businesses and jobs they support. And so does Vermont’s iconic working landscape.”

– Sen. Sanders.

Market Consolidation

Sen. Sanders believes that we are not effectively enforcing important antitrust laws to prevent the consolidation of our food, beverage, and agribusiness industries. Too often mergers only boost the profits of executives and shareholders, while leaving consumers and producers with fewer choices and higher prices. These industries are too important to be in the hands of only a few companies.

Moreover, consolidation of the agricultural sector is contributing to the degradation of economic vitality in rural America. The top four largest pork packers control 71 percent of the market; the top four beef packers control 81 percent of the market; and the top four corn seed sellers control 85 percent of the market. Just 4 percent of farms produce two-thirds of the agricultural output in America and these big farms do less business in their communities. Sen. Sanders believes that we need to find a solution that helps small farmers remain profitable if we are committed to preserving a vibrant rural America.

Farmworkers

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the critical nature of farmworkers’ labor. Over 3 million farm workers are employed across the United States and work in very difficult conditions. Many of these farmworkers lack documentation and any legal protection. Although these workers play a vital role in feeding our country and contributing to our economy, agricultural work is one of the most dangerous and lowest paid jobs available. Individual farm workers, on average, earn less than $15,000 per year and yet are subject to terrible working conditions including exposure to dangerously high temperatures, pesticides, poor housing conditions, and unfair labor practices. In the wealthiest country in the world, no worker should struggle to feed his or her family or work long hours without adequate compensation.

“We cannot continue to run an economy where millions are made so vulnerable because of their undocumented status”

– Sen. Sanders

Local Food

Sen. Sanders is proud of Vermonters’ pioneering work in the local and sustainable food movement. He has successfully advocated making local food part of school lunches and nutrition assistance programs. Sen. Sanders strongly supports farmers’ markets, value added agriculture, and agri-tourism.

Moreover, many of Vermont’s small, family farms thrive by selling organic food that is raised to exacting standards, and Sen. Sanders has long believed that protecting and promoting Vermont’s small family farms – both vegetable and dairy – is essential to maintaining Vermont’s rural economy.

Nutrition

Sen. Sanders strongly supports access to good nutrition for every American, and believes we need to dramatically increase funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps). With unemployment, under-employment, and low wages plaguing the middle class, many working families rely on nutrition assistance to make ends meet. Sen. Sanders believes that “it is unconscionable that the federal government would cut back on food and nutrition assistance to states as our nation struggles to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression.”

He has introduced the Universal School Meals Program Act to help provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student in America. He also led the Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act to ensure the people of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa receive equal access to SNAP.