On Tuesday, December 17, over 150 supporters, including funders, foundations, and advocates, came together for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) Benefit Breakfast at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This annual event is critical in supporting FRAC’s mission to end poverty-related hunger in America.
FRAC’s Interim President Crystal FitzSimons Welcomes Attendees
Ellen Buchman, vice chair of FRAC’s Board of Directors, welcomed attendees and expressed her gratitude for their support throughout the year. She highlighted significant progress in expanding the reach of school meals and the passing of new nutrition standards that are key to a healthier school day. FRAC’s Interim President Crystal FitzSimons reaffirmed that FRAC remains unwavering in advocating for Healthy School Meals for All to reduce childhood hunger in America. As she said in her remarks, “FRAC believes bold solutions like free healthy school meals for all will become a reality. But in this work, change does not happen overnight. It requires constant vigilance. And the path towards success is not linear. Together, we have the opportunity to not only address the symptoms of hunger but also tackle its root causes, fostering a society where everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive.”
The breakfast featured a discussion on “The Future of School Meals.” moderated by Alexis Bylander, FRAC’s interim director of Child Nutrition Policy and Programs. Panelists Yvonne Johnson, president of the National PTA, Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association reinforced the need for parents, pediatricians, and educators to join in the fight against hunger, and uplifted the importance of school meals.
“Pediatricians are the ultimate witness to failed policies,.” said Dr. Hoffman. “Our mission is really to ensure that kids have the opportunity to thrive, and I feel like we do that by putting families and communities … in the center.”
Johnson emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts, stating, “This is a grassroots approach — this isn’t a top down,; this is a bottom up.” She also urged, “Make sure your elected official knows, if you aren’t going to support this, well, let’s get somebody in who will support it.”
Pringle focused on the collective impact of hunger in schools, saying, “School is communal. What impacts one student — impacts all students.” She added, “We know, we see, we live every day the disruption of a hungry student who can’t focus. We know, see, and experience the bullying that results when we identify those students who are on free and reduced lunch, and only them.”
The powerful messages shared by these national leaders underscore the importance of collective action in ensuring every child has access to healthy school meals.
According to a FRAC public opinion poll conducted in 2021, 63 percent of voters nationwide support legislation that would make free school meals permanently available to all students. The work toward this goal is already underway, with parents, teachers, policymakers, and more, around the country advocating for Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA), and states passing HSMFA legislation. Healthy School Meals for All is a movement that ensures all students have the nutrition they need to learn and thrive. So far, eight states have implemented policies that provide school meals to all students at no charge, regardless of household income. Now, it’s time to build on that momentum and push for nationwide change.
LaQuita Honeysucker (UCFW), Crystal FitzSimons (FRAC), Becky Pringle (NEA), Yvonne Johnson (PTA), Ben Hoffman (AAP), Nancy Dalton (Amazon) and Kellie Adesina Heinz (Heinz)
FRAC’s incoming board chair, Kellie Adesina, closed out the event program and encouraged everyone to continue in the fight to end hunger in America.
You can support FRAC’s Campaign to End Childhood Hunger to ensure children from families with low incomes have access to the nutrition they need to thrive. The campaign plays a critical role in supporting the expansion of access to school meals, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), afterschool and summer meals, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Child and Adult Food Care Program.
