Hunger and Nutrition

NCSL Foundation Hunger Partnership Overview

The number of people in the United States who had difficulty putting food on the table has grown by more than five million since 2007. One in seven U.S. households was food insecure at some point in 2010.  The prevalence of food insecurity is at its highest level since 1995, when the first national food security survey was conducted.  Despite record high rates of food insecurity, academics, advocates and policymakers insist that hunger is a solvable problem.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agencies administer 15 federal nutrition programs, which provide vital benefits to low-income families and significant economic stimulus to local economies.  For example, in federal fiscal year 2010, 40.3 million people participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The USDA estimates that for every $5 in individual benefits, at least $9 is generated in the local economy.

Private and non-profit sectors commit significant resources to addressing hunger in America, leveraging federal programs and enlisting their employees, customers and clients to improve the availability and accessibility of affordable, healthy food for those who need assistance.  State legislators play a significant part in this campaign, overseeing the administration of federal programs, regulating and funding state programs and convening otherwise disconnected partners to promote effective programs and encourage participation. 

The NCSL Foundation for State Legislatures launched the Hunger Partnership to raise the visibility of hunger in America and highlight innovative and lasting solutions.  The goal of the project is to connect the public and private sectors to improve the availability of healthy food for hungry families. The Hunger Partnership links legislators, legislative staff and interested businesses to identify innovative and successful programs and develop bipartisan, balanced and concise materials and mechanisms to support legislators in their efforts to reduce hunger in America.