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
- Child Nutrition Reauthorization
- Creation of a Select Committee on Hunger
- Advocacy Committee
- Briefing Papers
Current Legislative Priorities & Actions
Child Nutrition Reauthorization
Action Alert from Feeding America: Tell your senators: End summer hunger for kids!
Background
Child nutrition is an important priority for the Alliance to End Hunger. Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR) refers to Congress’ process in evaluating and amending the law related to child nutrition programs. The current law, last reauthorized in 2010 as the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, sets the policy and funding structure for many child nutrition programs including school meals, summer meals and WIC.
CNR offers a significant opportunity to improve access to summer meals which is a critical issue since only a fraction of children who receive school lunch meals participate in the summer meals program. According to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign (No Kid Hungry CNR Brochure 2019), of the 21 million children participating in free and reduced-price school lunches, only 3.4 million (16%) are participating in summer meals.
Several marker bills prioritizing improving summer meals have already been introduced.
- S. 1918 – The Hunger Free Summer for Kids Act of 2019 adds several options for children to access meals over the summer. Through the implementation of a summer EBT program and the provision of off-site, non-congregate locations, this bill will make it much easier for kids to eat healthy meals even if they are not able to get to a summer site. This was modeled after a USDA demonstration that tested both opportunities and produced great results, as displayed through the reduction of child hunger by more than 30% during the time this test was utilized.
- S. 1908/H.R. 2818 – The Summer Meals Act of 2019 furthers kids’ abilities to access summer meals by cutting down the red tape that is normally needed to set these programs up. The bill lays out reimbursement policies and innovative approaches to solving issues such as limited transportation or off-campus hours.
- S. 1941/H.R.3378 – The Stop Child Summer Hunger Act of 2019 presents language that establishes the process of providing summer EBT cards for the purpose of providing access to food for children during summer months for eligible families. This bill determines the timing and amount given of the EBT cards and ensures that kids who usually receives their daily meals at school can get necessary nutrition through participating locations.
We encourage you to participate in the above actions and ask your Senators to support these bills.
Support the Creation of a Select Committee on Hunger!
Read the Letter | Organization Sign-On
The Alliance to End Hunger is organizing a sign-on letter asking Speaker Pelosi to establish a Select Committee on Hunger in the House of Representatives.
In the 1980’s and 90’s, a House Select Committee on Hunger collected testimony, held hearings, and drew attention to myriad hunger-related issues in the Unites States and around the world that were are critical for hungry people. The committee’s focus included issues such as community development and nutrition-related infant mortality in the US, and microfinancing and refugee aid globally, as well as many other issues. While it did not draft legislation, the Select Committee had powers that are not afforded to less high-profile groups such as the House Hunger Caucus.
The Alliance’s Executive Director Emeritus, Ambassador Tony Hall, chaired the House Select Committee on Hunger between 1989-1993. When Congress eliminated the Select Committee in 1993, Amb. Hall fasted for 22 days in solidarity with the hungry people that would now have a reduced political voice. This eventually led to the creation of the Congressional Hunger Center, but the Select Committee was not re-established.
Now, after over a decade of progress in tackling hunger around the world, we are facing a global situation in which hunger is on the rise. At the same time, there is severe uncertainty in the United States around issues important to hungry people, their families, and their livelihoods. In this context, Ambassador Hall is leading an effort to re-establish the House Select Committee on Hunger. It is critical that our community develops a strong show of support for this endeavor, with this letter to Speaker Pelosi being the first step.
Please note that while this effort is being spearheaded by the Alliance, it will be sent as a white-label letter (i.e. not on our letterhead). We strongly encourage you to share this sign-on letter far and wide to request that organizations – non-profits, faith-based, private-sector, university and other – join this request.
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. Any members interested in participating in the Advocacy Committee should feel free to contact the committee co-chairs, Rick McNary and Meredith Dodson.
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.
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