Pat has been with Capstone Community Action in Barre, Vermont for more than 18 years after a number of years as a home child care provider. Capstone is the largest sponsor of CACFP in Vermont and consists of many programs under one roof which include the Community Economic Development, Community Kitchen Academy, food shelf, fuel assistance, Head Start, housing, tax program, weatherization and many more which makes it a one stop shopping for services. Check out our website Capstonevt.org. Pat has a degree in legal studies and non-profit administration and in 2010 became a University of Vermont Extension Service’s Certified Master Gardener. She shares her expertise with providers to promote gardening with the children. If they grow vegetables, the children will eat them and Pat believes if children take care of a garden they will learn to enjoy eating the food for the rest of their lives. Pat rallied in support of labeling genetically engineered foods (also called genetically modified organisms, or GMOs) in Vermont. On May 8, 2014 Governor Shumlin signed Vermont’s GMO labeling bill into law making Vermont the first state that will require labels on genetically engineered foods! The law will require labels on genetically engineered foods sold at retail outlets in Vermont. The law will go in to effect on July 1, 2016. Pat is devoted to making sure children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. It has been proven that children who maintain a well-balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and nutritionally complete meals help the child learn and grow and are the foundations that will help them achieve their fullest potential in the future.