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The Alliance’s mission is to engage diverse institutions to build the public and political will to end hunger at home and abroad. Learn more about our Policy Priorities and other guiding governance principles for the Alliance on our Governance page.
On this page:
- Current Legislative Priorities & Actions
- Advocacy Committee
- Briefing Papers
Current Legislative Priorities & Actions
U.S. focused Priorities
Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) is an opportunity for Congress to expand and enhance the child nutrition programs.
Click here to view our 2022 CNR policy priorities.
-Centering equity in program design and implementation
-Engaging Congress and the Administration on upcoming Farm Bill priorities
Global Priorities
-Food Security/Nutrition-focused COVID Response
-Maternal/Child Nutrition Legislation
-Supporting appropriations and improvement efforts to bolster global food security programs (Food for Peace, GFSA/GFSS, etc.)
-Support multilateral food/nutrition orgs (FAO, IFAD, etc.)
-SDG2 Advocacy
-Tracking/acting on developing global hunger crises
-Engage Congress and the Administration on upcoming Farm Bill/GFSA priorities
Advocacy Committee
The Alliance’s diverse membership realized that it was in a unique position to provide a long-term approach to advocacy. In addition to periodic meetings with Members of Congress and the Administration, the Alliance established a member-led Advocacy Committee. This Committee was tasked to compose common messages that underscore the connection between hunger and a variety of prominent political issues. The Advocacy Committee co-chairs are Monica Gonzales (Share Our Strength) and Colin Christensen (One Acre Fund). Any members interested in participating in the Advocacy Committee should feel free to contact Minerva Delgado.
Briefing Papers
The Advocacy Committee has developed messages that link the issue of hunger to agriculture, healthcare, national security and racial equity. Below, you will find the compiled briefings on the issues, as well as a basic “Hunger Overview.”
- Hunger Overview: Hunger is the inability to consume necessary amounts of food for daily sustenance because of the lack of funds and/or access to nutritional food. Hunger affects all 50 states, all Congressional districts, and every country on earth.
- Hunger and Agriculture: 795 million people worldwide are considered “food insecure,” a challenge that is compounded by a population projected to grow by more than 2 billion by 2050, and limited availability of natural resources. To meet growing global food demand, farmers will have to increase agricultural production by 70%. The agriculture community has an important role to play in developing more just and efficient food systems.
- Hunger and U.S. Health: The relationship between eating well and good health is well known. We learn from an early age that “you are what you eat” and consuming fruits and vegetables is important. With the growth of the obesity epidemic, much of the attention on food consumption in America has focused on the volume, caloric density and fat content of food consumed, with good reason. What is often missing in our discussion of good health and food consumption is the tragic level of hunger in America.
- Hunger and International Health: Hunger and malnutrition are prevalent worldwide. Currently 795 million people are considered “food insecure”, with a population projected to grow over 2 billion by 2050. Of these, an estimated 3.1 million children under the age of five die annually due to under-nutrition. In the first 1,000 days of a child’s life—from conception to the age of two—over 40 vitamins and minerals are required for healthy development. The resilience of individuals, families, and communities therefore depends on adequate food intake and nutrition.
- Hunger and International Security: There are inseparable links between food security and international security. The Alliance Advocacy Committee is working to help raise awareness of the long-term relationship between hunger and security.
- Hunger and Race: In the United States, people of color are more vulnerable to hunger and poverty, experiencing hunger at up to two times the rate of white individuals. Ending hunger and poverty, therefore, is closely linked to racially equitable solutions. The Alliance Advocacy Committee is working to embed a racial equity lens in our advocacy work. Click here for a flyer with suggestions for anti-hunger organizations. For further background on this topic, please read Getting to Zero Hunger: Hunger, Poverty, and Race.
Keep up-to-date with our advocacy efforts and other initiatives by checking out our Recent News, reading our latest Newsletter, and subscribing to our mailing list.