How we FightHunger

Advocacy and Public Policy

“We can influence our leaders to make hunger a priority”

The United States is the largest and most efficient food producer in the world, so the resources to solve the problem exist. Our public policy efforts focus on working with Congress, as well as state and local officials, to strengthen and expand the programs and solutions available to our nation’s food insecure. Our goal is to support policies that help solve America’s growing hunger crisis, while raising public awareness about the issues of hunger in our country.

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Child Hunger

Although the United States is the wealthiest nation in the world, millions of children in our nation are food insecure, meaning they are either currently hungry or nearing hunger. Children who are undernourished are at greater risk for serious health, social, and educational problems. Today, many public food-assistance programs and private organizations strive to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable children, but more needs to be done to fight child hunger.

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Rural Hunger

Rural households in the United States suffer from food insecurity—the statistical measurement of hunger or near-hunger—at greater rates that the rest of the nation. A number of factors, including unemployment, transportation barriers, and access to grocers, contribute to hunger in rural America. It is a sad reminder that hunger persists in our nation when so many people go hungry in the very communities where food is produced.

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Working Poor

Today, millions of Americans belong to working poor families. That is, they live below 100 percent of the poverty threshold despite having at least one family member who works. Although these individuals and families strive to secure adequate income, many are often unable to meet their own most basic needs, let alone find the time, transportation, education, and other resources needed to improve their situation.

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Senior Hunger

Every year, millions of older Americans—people who have helped build our nation—suffer from food insecurity. They may experience hunger, are near hunger, or are undernourished because they lack access to wholesome foods. In a nation of plenty, it is unacceptable that so many senior citizens are in need of food. Many charitable organizations and government programs address senior hunger, but a number of additional public policy steps will help reduce the scope of senior hunger even further.

Learn more about Senior Hunger >