Statement Attributed to Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer
“Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization with a network 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner faith-based and charitable food pantries and meal programs, applauds the commitment to ensuring that all communities have equitable access to nutritious food outlined in the Biden Administration’s proposed 2023 federal budget. Ensuring that none of our neighbors facing hunger experience obstacles to accessing nourishing food will require a public-private partnership between the government and the charitable sector through initiatives like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) — a federal program that works with U.S. farmers and food banks to source and distribute health-boosting food like fruits and vegetables, alongside other pantry staples to families in need.
“Our neighbors facing hunger often experience barriers to accessing nutritious food. Many of those barriers stem from deep systemic inequalities and community disinvestments, particularly in rural areas and Black, Latino, and Native American communities. Robust investments in programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), child nutrition programs, and commodity supports, along with key flexibilities to improve equitable access, are critical. For example, TEFAP promotes health by connecting produce and other items from local growers and producers to communities across the nation. In fact, last year, the Feeding America network secured more than 2.2 billion pounds of fruits and vegetables with the help of TEFAP.
“Food banks and federal nutrition programs are an integral part of building a healthier nation. With our shared commitment to ensuring all our neighbors facing hunger have equitable access to nutritious food, Feeding America looks forward to working with the administration and Congress to invest in federal nutrition programs that will bolster both food and nutrition security across the nation.”
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
