ANN ARBOR —Food Gatherers, the local food bank serving Washtenaw County, hosted Senator Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, and local leaders on Friday June 16, 2023, to discuss the importance of the Farm Bill for addressing food insecurity in Michigan.
“We are thrilled to have such a champion for nutrition programs at the helm of the Senate Agriculture Committee with Chairwoman Stabenow and are grateful for the opportunity to share with her the needs and challenges for our community,” shares Eileen Spring, CEO/President of Food Gatherers.
At the event, Senator Stabenow heard from local community members about their individual experience with SNAP and TEFAP and expressed her support for continuing to support the programs.
“Organizations like Food Gatherers and their many partners are part of the heart and soul of communities around the country. It was helpful to hear from these community leaders about the vital work they do across Washtenaw County as we draft the 2023 Farm Bill,” said Senator Stabenow.
Food Gatherers—a member of the Feeding America network— has seen an increase in both the number of neighbors needing food assistance help, as well as an increase in the frequency of visits needed due to the end of the additional pandemic-related SNAP benefits in March.
“SNAP is a lifeline for more than one million Michiganders, including children, the elderly, and our most vulnerable neighbors. I am committed to fighting for robust funding for SNAP in this year’s farm bill and will oppose any effort to undermine it. We know that food security and nutritious eating are vital for improving health, reducing disease, and ensuring our children can grow and thrive,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell.
Congresswoman Slotkin said, “Food security is national security, and organizations like Food Gatherers play a vital role in making sure that our most vulnerable populations have access to healthy and nutritious food. Seeing the Food Gatherers’ warehouse and hearing directly from neighbors who face food insecurity demonstrated the incredible value of this resource. As the only Michigander on the House Agriculture Committee, I’ll be working at every step of the process to protect and support nutrition programs in this year’s Farm Bill – especially after recent cuts to SNAP and other funding. I appreciate being included in this ongoing discussion and thank Senator Stabenow for her unending commitment in this fight to stop Michiganders from going hungry.”
As Congress is preparing to draft the 2023 Farm Bill, support for federal nutrition programs is critical. The pandemic has created widespread economic and food insecurity and the effects will continue to be felt by communities in Washtenaw County for years to come. Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), in addition to state and local support, are essential to ensuring neighbors have access to food.
About Food Gatherers
Food Gatherers’ mission is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its root causes in Washtenaw County. Last year, our food bank and food rescue program distributed 7.3 million pounds of food to more than 170 non-profit programs serving adults, seniors, and children. For a list of our partner programs or to learn how you can become involved in the fight against hunger locally, please visit www.foodgatherers.org or call 734-761-2796.
