Media Contact:
Jordan Baker
jbaker@frac.org
202-640-1118
WASHINGTON, November 21, 2022 — The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), the leading national organization dedicated to improving the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the U.S., will commemorate its 50th anniversary on Thursday, December 8, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.
Since its founding, FRAC has been instrumental in the creation and expansion of federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and school meals.
“FRAC has made tremendous strides in the fight against hunger, but our work is far from over,” said Luis Guardia, president of FRAC. “We will continue to advocate for bold and equitable policy solutions that will help the millions of households experiencing food insecurity get the nutrition they need to thrive.”
The celebration will shed light on the critical role of Healthy School Meals for All during the pandemic and why lawmakers must continue to support children, families and schools by making school breakfast and lunch available at no charge for all students permanent.
To keep child hunger at bay during the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued waivers to allow schools to provide meals at no charge to all students, no matter their household income. Unfortunately, these waivers expired on June 30, 2022. Free school meals for all students are still needed, as families, school nutrition programs, and community-based organizations recover from the long-term effects of the pandemic.
“Providing free healthy school meals for all fuels the health and learning of our nation’s children,” said Guardia. “It’s a win-win for families, schools, and for our children’s futures.”
The event will feature remarks by anti-hunger champion Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and award-winning Chef Tom Colicchio, an outspoken social justice advocate, who has testified before Congress on the importance of Healthy School Meals for All.
FRAC will honor its Anti-Hunger Champions of the Year, California State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and the anti-hunger organization Full Plates Full Potential, to celebrate their successful efforts to make California and Maine the first two states in the country to pass legislation to make school meals for all children available at no charge, leading the way for a growing number of states.
Hundreds of guests representing stakeholders from all parts of the anti-hunger movement are expected to attend, including policymakers, public officials, national, state, and local nonprofits, businesses, and labor organizations,
Proceeds from the event will benefit FRAC’s Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which has achieved major gains in ensuring that children in communities throughout the U.S. receive the nutrition they need to thrive. The campaign has had remarkable successes over the years, building the reach, quality, and effectiveness of nutrition programs across the board — School Breakfast, National School Lunch, Summer Food, Afterschool Meals, WIC, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and SNAP.
Tickets may be purchased at www.frac.org/50thcelebration.
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The Food Research & Action Center improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions. To learn more, visit FRAC.org and follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
