WASHINGTON (February 4, 2026) The Alliance to End Hunger thanks Congress for their passage of the remaining FY26 funding bills and averting a prolonged partial government shutdown, while urging that more be done for those struggling with hunger as negotiations for FY27 appropriations continue.
The “minibus” appropriations package achieved final passage in the House of Representatives yesterday, completing funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026. Other funding bills, including for Agriculture, previously passed as a part of the agreement re-opening the government after a record-breaking shutdown last November.
Positive developments through the funding package included crucial funding for global food security programs including $165 million for global nutrition, $720 million for implementation of American global food security programs, $300 million in support of American-made emergency therapeutic foods, and $72 million for Feed the Future Innovation Labs – which support U.S. research and development of solutions for current and future food security challenges.
However, in the U.S., the bill continued “flat funding” for the Older Americans Act, which is critical for the food and nutrition security of our nation’s seniors. This funding is insufficient to meet the demands of our aging population. Many states continue to see growing wait lists for Meals on Wheels programs at a time when food insecurity in the United States continues to remain stubbornly high with grocery prices adding to already-strained fixed incomes.
Eric Mitchell, president of the Alliance to End Hunger stated the following:
“We are encouraged to see these funding bills pass as we avert another continued shutdown. Funding for key global food security and nutrition programs will undoubtedly save lives at a time when we are facing severe crises around the globe. However, we also need to look at the needs of our older neighbors. It is clear that the funding for the Older Americans Act is not enough to meet the needs of our most vulnerable seniors. As we continue to meet with Members of Congress we will urge that addressing hunger and malnutrition be priorities as we look toward the next fiscal year.”
