The same three words underlie many problems facing the state now: Tropical Storm Irene. In September, the Vermont FoodBank distributed one million pounds of food across the state, up from 600,000 pounds last September.

New data from the USDA show the rate of "food insecurity" in Vermont has grown four percent over the last five years. We talk with the director of the Vermont FoodBank about the economics of hunger.

Here are some sobering numbers for a state that consistently ranks as one of the healthiest in the nation: between 2006 and 2008, more than 12 percent of Vermonters lived in homes that couldn't afford enough food.

There's always a demand for the services provided by these non-profit organizations but given the recent crippling economic recession it's no surprise that more and more people are turning to food banks to keep their families from suffering malnutrition, or worse.

A new USDA report shows the highest hunger levels in the U.S. since 1995.  In Vermont, 12% of households struggle with hunger.  We look into why the issue of hunger continues to worsen.  Also, Vermont's state forests celebrate 100 years!