WHEREAS, the Governor's Hunger Task Force confirms that hunger is a fact of life for many Vermonters; and

WHEREAS, the current economic situation has increased the ranks of Vermonters who cannot purchase sufficient food to avoid hunger and its consequences; and

WHEREAS, the consequences of inadequate access to nutritious foods and a healthful diet have been shown to contribute to decreased ability to perform in school or on the job and to chronic health problems throughout life, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity; and

WHEREAS, solving the problem of hunger in Vermont will require several agencies, departments and community agencies to work closely together.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James H. Douglas, by virtue of the power vested in me as Governor of the State of Vermont, do hereby establish an Interagency Council on Hunger. The Council shall be advisory to the Governor and shall have the following functions and duties:

1. to monitor hunger in Vermont and analyze factors contributing to its causes;

2. to the extent to which public and private sector programs and services are addressing the problem of hunger in Vermont; and

3. to recommend, coordinate, and support actions that can be taken, sustained or expanded by agencies and individuals in the public and private sectors to reduce hunger in Vermont.

The Council shall consist of no more than ten members and shall be composed as follows:

• The Secretary of the Agency of Human services, or his/her designee, who shall serve as Chair;

• The commissioner of Education, or his/her designee;

• The Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, or his/her designee;

 • The Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, or his/her designee;

 • One representative from the ecumenical sector appointed by the Governor to a three year term;

  • One representative from a Community Action Agency appointed by the Governor to a three year term; and

 • Four individuals appointed by the Governor to three year terms who represent private agencies and programs that provide services to low-income Vermonters, as follows: one shall be a statewide organization with an anti-hunger focus; one shall be an organization that provides services to a vulnerable population such as elders, disabled or homeless persons; and two shall be organizations that work directly with and represent people who are low income and likely to be affected by hunger.

The Chair may call upon other persons or organizations as needed to assist the Council in its endeavors. The Council may establish sub-committees for the effective discharge of its responsibilities.

The Agency of Human Services shall provide administrative and staff support to the Council.

This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing and shall expire on November 30, 2015, unless extended.

Dated November 12, 2009.