Our Priorities

Reauthorized every five years, the Farm Bill is a primary driver of key nutrition programs in the United States, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The Farm Bill is fundamental to ending hunger and malnutrition, building a sustainable food system from farm to plate, and ensuring equitable outcomes for people and communities. The Alliance to End Hunger urges Congress to advance accessibility, affordability, and equity in critical nutrition programs. See a quick one-pager of Farm Bill priorities HERE.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) needs modernization and investment to enable it to reach all eligible women and young children and address disparities in program delivery. The Alliance to End Hunger urges Congress to modernize WIC by enhancing technology improvements and allowing remote enrollment and issuance of benefits.

Each year Congress must adequately fund key discretionary anti-hunger programs through the annual appropriations process. These programs include WIC, TEFAP, CSFP, and the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program. Congress must take a comprehensive approach to address food insecurity disparities, recognizing the relationship between nutrition access, overall health, social well-being, and future prosperity. Robust and accessible federal nutrition programs ensure nutrition assistance targets communities and individuals that need it most. The Alliance urges Congress to pass robust appropriation bills to ensure funding is available to meet the demand for food and nutrition assistance in the United States.

In September of 2022 the Biden-Harris Administration hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health – the first such conference in nearly 50 years. The Conference culminated in a National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. The Strategy calls on all sectors to collectively act and mobilize to end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical activity. This ambitious plan included priorities of the Alliance and its members and partners. The Alliance to End Hunger will engage its diverse multi-sector coalition to urge implementation of the strategy.

Adequate nutrition is critical for a child in the “first 1,000 days” from pregnancy through age 2, with crucial impacts on a child’s brain development and physical foundation for lifelong health. Maternal nutrition is a critical determinant of infant health and beyond. At a time of unconscionably high maternal mortality rates in the U.S., which are increasing at a more rapid rate than any other high-income country, addressing social determinants of health including food and nutrition are paramount. The Alliance advocates for key policy solutions that will increase access to nutritional support programs for America’s children and low-income families.

The Farm Bill comes up every five years and it is up for reauthorization. The Alliance advocates passage of the Farm Bill this year including critical funding for global food security and nutrition, Title II Food for Peace programs, the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, and support for agricultural research. You can read our global Farm Bill priorities HERE.

Funding for global programs has unfortunately been relatively flat in recent years; additionally, there have been recent budget agreement constraints on funding levels. The Alliance advocates for increased Congressional support for key programs addressing global food security and nutrition, including the Global Food Security Program, Food for Peace, Nutrition, and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program.

Conflict-related food insecurity is a leading cause of the current global food crisis. Conflict has resulted in unprecedented levels of food insecurity around the world. United Nations food security agencies recently identified 18 “hunger hotspots” in 22 countries around the world where food security was expected to significantly deteriorate.

Climate change is a leading cause of food insecurity – causing major disruptions to food systems around the world including agriculture, livelihoods, and accessibility. Last year’s global climate conference (COP28) dedicated a significant amount of focus to the nexus between climate change and global food systems. The Alliance is working to identify solutions to address the impact of climate change on food systems, including adaptation for agriculture producers, particularly smallholder farmers.

The Alliance is helping to lead the fight against global malnutrition. The United States passed the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act, as well as numerous commitments to address severe malnutrition around the world. The Alliance is working to ensure the implementation of America’s promises to both treat and prevent severe malnutrition everywhere. This includes preventative treatment intervention in the first 1,000 days and the use of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) treatment efforts.

There is a concerted effort to ensure that global food security is a priority across corporate, nonprofit, multinational, and government sectors. The Alliance is continuing to build collaborative efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition through a holistic approach that includes relief, development, and resilient and equitable food systems.