Transportation Systems to Support Food Access, Housing and Economic Opportunity

Reliable public transportation is essential for housing stability, food access, and local economic opportunity. In Vermont, gaps in service, aging fleets, and unstable funding make daily life harder—especially for residents already facing high housing costs and limited resources.

Through U.S. Department of Energy–funded outreach in the Champlain Valley, we heard how Vermonters often spend hours navigating disconnected transit systems just to access food, frequently combining grocery or food shelf trips with commutes. Misaligned transportation and food systems add significant daily burdens.

This session will explore how a more resilient, sustainable transit network can improve housing, food access, and economic opportunity while advancing climate goals. Panelists will discuss:

• Co-locating charitable food distribution with transit routes and grocery stores
• Innovative ways to connect people and food
• Aligning transit routes with housing corridors
• Promoting transit equity for low-income and transit-dependent Vermonters