
The Role of Food Banks in the Task Force on Hunger
- foodfightadmin
- September 14, 2022
- Federal, Hunger In America, Nutrition, SNAP
- ads pages
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In a recently convened independent Task Force on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, Catherine D’Amato, CEO of Greater Boston Food Bank, was the sole member with food banking expertise. D’Amato, also the co-founder of Hunger to Health Collaboratory, joined the Task Force ten weeks ago. The panel recently issued a comprehensive report set to influence the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health slated for September 28.
The report, unaffiliated with the White House, presents 30 crucial policy suggestions and over 200 related actions. Recommendations primarily focus on enhancing the accessibility and adaptability of programs like SNAP and school meals, boosting Food is Medicine initiatives, promoting healthcare providers’ participation in local food systems and food insecurity screenings, and endorsing business innovations.
According to D’Amato, the report encapsulates a broad spectrum of innovative ideas from across the country. The Task Force, however, abstained from taking a stance on certain contentious SNAP policies, instead recommending funding for pilot programs to examine varied methods to curtail hunger and foster nutrition.
The Task Force‘s willingness to accommodate a diversity of views and its decision to await future outcomes was commended by D’Amato. Also addressed in the report was The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), with the Task Force advising additional funding and better nutritional alignment. Other recommendations included enhanced food recovery from varied food businesses, with supportive action items encompassing tax adjustments for crop donation, food transportation cost solutions, and liability protection for food donations.
D’Amato is hopeful that food banks will adopt a wider perspective and endorse the report’s many recommendations. She sees the forthcoming conference as a chance to widen the narrow focus of traditional dialogues. “The opportunity for us as food bankers to think beyond immediate needs is crucial,” she said, emphasizing the importance of upstream solutions.
Reflecting on the current situation, D’Amato likened it to the 1970s, but with a positive spin. “I’m having the same conversations, but now we’re smarter, better resourced, and more aware of the inequities that need addressing,” she said. “Though it’s a daunting task, I believe we’re poised to make significant progress.”