More Vermonters Are Relying on 3SquaresVT
The number of Vermonters relying on foods stamps has more than doubled in the last six years. Some of the increase was due to a change in rules that allowed more people to qualify for 3SquaresVT, Vermont’s food stamp program. But the recession also has been a big factor in the increase. In December 2007, just before the official start of the economic decline, about 54,000 Vermonters received food stamps. At the end of 2010, the number was above 90,000.
The map shows the number of food stamp recipients by town in December 2010. It also shows the percentage of the town’s population participating in the 3SquaresVT program, based on new 2010 Census data. The Vermont Department for Children and Families does not release figures for towns with fewer than 10 food stamp recipients.