Public Policy
Hunger is a significant problem year-round in every
community across the United States, from bustling American cities to suburban
hamlets to 
rural
small towns. In 2006 alone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
estimates that more than 35 million people lived in
food-insecure households, including 12.6 million children.
Each year, Feeding America serves more than 25 million hungry
people, seniors, families and children in need of emergency food
assistance.
While hunger is a widespread problem, it is unique in
that it is truly a solvable problem. The resources exist. The United
States is the largest and most efficient food producer in the world.
Strengthening and
expanding the federal food safety net and working to plug holes in that food
safety net at the state and local levels, and fostering effective collaborations
between the public and private sectors to feed more low-income Americans are
just a few actions that can make a tremendous difference.
Public Policy and Government Relations - at the
Feeding America Network
The Public Policy and Government Relations Department is responsible for advocating on behalf of the needy people we serve by educating members of Congress, state and local officials, and the public at large about hunger in America and the charitable response.
What we do
The Department lobbies the Congress on
behalf of sufficient funding and positive programmatic changes for a variety of
critical anti-hunger programs, including the following:
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
- Food Stamp Program
Public Policy and Government Relations provide:
- public awareness and education role through media outreach
- congressional testimony
- advocacy and speaking engagements
- technical assistance to the America’s Second Harvest network members
- provide and host a variety of educational opportunities for member food
banks and food rescue organizations
Look through this section to learn more about the programs and initiatives we support.
