Rural church finds its hope for tomorrow in keeping residents eating healthy today

Access to healthy and affordable food continues to challenge Americans. A 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture report found that 13.5% of U.S. households were food insecure. For rural households that number was 15%.

In Vermont alone, where food deserts are many and rising grocery costs, coupled with an uncertain future of federally-funded feeding programs — about 12% of residents 60 and older face the threat of hunger.

In one rural Vermont village, though, a congregation has made access to healthy food a year-round mission. UCC news reporter, Donna Jackson, sat down with Rev. Dr. Steven E. Berry, a former Vermont legislator and an ordained UCC pastor who now serves as the transitional pastor of the Congregational Church of Rupert, and discovers how free brown bag lunches are just the beginning to a larger vision of keeping its residents healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Click below to watch the special UCC News spotlight.

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