FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jessica Sund
Director of development and communications
507-424-1729
[email protected]
May 6, 2024
ROCHESTER, Minnesota—The following is a statement from Virginia Witherspoon, Channel One Regional Food Bank executive director, on the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act (Farm Bill) summary released last Wednesday by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow:
“Food insecurity is at an all-time high and still on the rise in Southeastern Minnesota. We know this because Channel One distributed 77% more food in April than we did last year, and our food shelf, the second largest in the state, is experiencing steep increases in demand year-over-year, including a doubling of new households seeking assistance. This is after Minnesotans visited food shelves more than 7.5 million times in 2023, the most on record. It is unsustainable, and without state and federal support, more of our neighbors will go hungry. For that reason, we need a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill that invests in proven anti-hunger programs at the federal level, including both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act summary released by Chair Stabenow last week acknowledges the benefits of both programs by keeping SNAP whole and making much needed investments in TEFAP. We encourage our federal delegation to do whatever they can as negotiations continue to prioritize these programs, which will help us fight hunger throughout Greater Minnesota.”
For more information, see the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act bill summary and this statement from Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer for Feeding America. Channel One and four other food banks serving Minnesota are members of the Feeding America network of food banks.
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About Channel One Regional Food Bank
Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Kitchen Coalition, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of over 160 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org.
