At least one in 10 people in Indiana is considered food insecure, so the Biden administration's announcement of a new National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health is being welcomed by groups fighting hunger in the state.

The federal goal is to end hunger by 2030, in part by making sure multiple government agencies work better together to improve food access and affordability, and prioritize nutrition.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, described the National Strategy as a "whole of government approach," which she predicts will allow individual needs to be targeted.

"How do we ensure that agencies are working together to make sure if you're on one federal program, you're also being sent information about federal nutrition programs?" Weikert Bryant asked. "And vice versa; if you're on federal nutrition programs, are you able to access the other things that you might need for your household? Whether it be child care, or transportation, or things like that, it's looking at it much more broadly."

The administration wants states to achieve a 95% cross-enrollment of eligible people in SNAP, Medicaid and other federal programs. The National Strategy also promotes more physical exercise for health, and more research on nutrition and food security.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports 10% of households were food insecure in 2021, and almost 40 million Americans live in areas where grocery stores are not close by. So, the plan also calls for more federal investment in community and economic development to increase food accessibility.

Food banks are another part of the National Strategy and Bryant describes the efforts made by Indiana's 11 member food banks.

"We serve all 92 counties across the State of Indiana, and work with 1,600 local agencies who are providing direct services," Bryant outlined. "We know that we're serving in 'food deserts', we know that we're serving in low-income, low access areas, but it doesn't always mean that the people who live in those neighborhoods know about it and can get there. And so, there's a lot that needs to be done for access."

USDA research indicates only 56% of households without enough food reported using one or more of the three largest federal nutrition programs in the prior month.

Eligible Oregon families have until Monday to apply for summer food benefits.

The Summer EBT program provides families with a one-time payment of $120 per child in a household. The program was started during the pandemic and made permanent this year. Most who qualified automatically received benefits.

David Wieland, policy advocate at Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, said one in six children in the state face food insecurity.

"We know that spikes in the summer when access to school meals is interrupted," Wieland pointed out. "Summer EBT is the most direct way of addressing that summer hunger. It lets families access food that's nourishing and appropriate for their families."

Wieland noted the state has already distributed $40 million in benefits to 330,000 children this summer.

People in Oregon and across the country are feeling pressure from increased food costs, Wieland observed, and Summer EBT is particularly appreciated by families because they can get the food they want with it.

"A lot of families have noted that Summer EBT sort of allows them some choice of what they get to feed their children during the summer," Wieland emphasized. "Some choice in providing the nutritious and culturally specific food that their children deserve."

The state's website for the program noted people's immigration status won't be asked for or considered in determining eligibility for Summer EBT. Most eligibility requirements are tied to children at schools with the National School Lunch Program and households qualifying for benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.


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A new Ohio bill aims to address the growing issue of food insecurity among college students. The legislation proposes establishing food resource centers on campuses across the state.

Advocates say this would ensure that students, particularly those balancing education with supporting families, have access to nutritious meals.

This initiative is getting widespread support from student advocates - including Jolara O'Harra, a parent and a student at Columbus State Community College.

She highlighted the critical role these resources play in student success.

"We all can't do anything with empty bellies," said O'Harra. "We're going to do great things and pursue all the opportunities ahead of us, but nobody can do anything if we're hungry."

O'Hara's experience is common among students balancing education and family care.

At Columbus State, the on-campus pantry - supported by the Mid-Ohio Food Bank - has been crucial in helping students focus on their studies.

Proponents of the bill believe expanding similar resources statewide could boost academic performance and student well-being.

The bill's introduction also highlights the broader issue of food insecurity within Ohio's communities, not just on college campuses.

Stephanie Dodd, the executive director of the Community Campus Coalition, underscored the importance of raising awareness about these challenges, and points to the overwhelming demand.

"When students are coming into our student resource centers looking for access to resources," said Dodd, "they are almost always telling us that food insecurity is something that they are facing."

As Ohio lawmakers consider this bill, it highlights the struggles of students balancing academics and basic needs.

Supporters believe the initiative could benefit students and the community by connecting them with essential resources and addressing food insecurity to help all Ohioans succeed.




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This is National Farmers Market Week, but almost every week, fresh fruits and vegetables and local products attract customers to more than 8,000 farmers markets nationwide.

Pennsylvania has 287 farmers markets that cultivate community and offer access to locally grown food.

Jenny Lester Moffitt, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said these markets pay a vital role in the local food and farm economy. She highlighted a USDA grant awarded to strengthen the food-supply chain.

"One of our grant recipients is an organization called Food Trust, and what they're doing is they are creating small, pop-up farmers markets in areas around Philadelphia that don't have access to healthy, fresh produce," she said. "They're increasing access to fresh, healthy, locally grown produce."

She said Adagio Health in Pittsburgh addresses food insecurity by hosting farmers markets at Women's, Infants and Children's clinics. This ensures that low-income families can get fresh local foods through programs such as SNAP and WIC, which promotes healthy eating and supports local farmers.

Moffitt said farmers markets are especially important to Pennsylvania's rural communities, as they connect farmers and ranchers with local customers.

"We know that when shopping at mainstream supply chains, farmers are getting about 14 to 15 cents of the food dollar back in their pocket," she said. "But when farmers can sell direct to consumers, they keep much more of that food dollar back in their pocket. And then, of course, that money is then circulating in the community."

In Gov. Josh Shapiro's latest budget, Pennsylvania received new investments for agriculture innovation and conservation. And this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture encouraged farmers to apply for $13 million in tax credits to enhance soil health and water quality.


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