MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT:
The National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, co-hosted by the Food Research & Action Center and Feeding America, draws more than 1,200 anti-hunger and anti-poverty advocates from food bank, child care, agriculture, industry, human needs, faith-based, children’s, immigrant, sustainable agriculture, health, and education organizations to share strategies and best practices for expanding the reach of the federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), school meals, afterschool meals, child care meals, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The conference is followed by a Lobby Day on Capitol Hill where advocates will urge Members of Congress to protect and strengthen these vital programs that help alleviate hunger and poverty for millions of people.
WHY:
Anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs need to be strengthened but instead are being targeted for deep cuts. Slashing these essential supports will increase hunger and poverty, reduce learning and productivity, harm health, drive up health care spending, harm economic growth, and inflict a range of other irreparable harms on millions of Americans.
WHO:
Charles Blow, visual op-ed columnist, New York Times, and author of “Fire Shut Up in My Bones”
Opening Lunch Plenary: Race, Poverty, and Hunger
Sunday, February 25, 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.
Moderated by Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO, National Women’s Law Center
Brandon Lipps, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, and Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Breakfast Plenary: Key Updates from USDA
Monday, February 26, 9:30 a.m.
Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA)
Lunch Plenary: Legislative Threats to Anti-Poverty Programs
Monday, February 26, 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Plenary Panel:
Jared Bernstein, Senior Fellow, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, former Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joseph Biden
Denise Forte, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation, former Staff Director, House Education and the Workforce Committee (Minority)
Eric Rodriguez, Vice President, UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza)
WHERE:
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Regency Ballroom
2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Press credentials are required to access the plenaries and open workshops of the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. To reserve your press badge, or to arrange an interview, contact Emily Pickren at epickren@frac.org or 202-640-1118.
