Burlington mayor asks council to reconsider moving free food program

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Burlington’s mayor is calling on the City Council to reconsider a resolution that would force an activist group to move their free lunches.

It was part of an ask from more than 150 businesses saying that the free meal program put on by the group Food Not Cops creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for people using the Marketplace Garage.

The council passed a resolution last week that asked the mayor to come up with a plan to move the meal service to a new location by July, in addition to other demands.

“I fully support our locally owned small businesses, and I also fully support mutual aid for those in need. I do not believe that these two things are mutually exclusive. Burlington is a city where everyone deserves to exist with dignity,” Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak said in a statement.

The next council meeting is on Monday.

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