Philadelphia FPAC

Anti-Hunger

The Anti-Hunger Subcommittee convenes food relief and health organizations, volunteers and/or participants in food programs, and Philadelphia residents interested in ending hunger.

The subcommittee:

  • Shares food resource information to address immediate needs
  • Promotes relationship building between individuals and organizations
  • Advocates for short and long term policies that reduce food insecurity
  • Supports improving access to culturally appropriate, healthy, and affordable food

Vision

The subcommittee believes that access to culturally appropriate, nutritious, and affordable food is a basic human right. We recognize that hunger is a symptom of systemic racism and poverty. We need to find and support solutions that address these root causes.

At the same time it is urgent that Philadelphians get the food that they need today. We want to make sure those food resources are easy to find and access in all communities.

Current Work

  • Deepening the Subcommittee’s understanding of the current food access landscape to better inform food policy recommendations by centering the people closest to the issue of food insecurity.
  • Identifying strategies and policy opportunities that address the root causes of hunger: racism and poverty.

History

2021

The subcommittee continued to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by sharing information about food security resources and updates on public benefits like SNAP, WIC, and Pandemic EBT.

In an effort to connect with organizations that are centering people most impacted by hunger and inequities in the food system, the subcommittee completed the Community Conversations Project. The project aimed to better understand the issues that organizations doing food security work were experiencing on the ground through 22 semi-structured interviews. These conversations were used to provide insights on how the City can help anti-hunger and food security-adjacent organizations best support residents.

2020  

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the subcommittee convened COVID-19 Food Policy and Resources Update for City Council. The presenters focused on food resources available to Philadelphians during the crisis. 

2019

The subcommittee convened a Child Hunger Briefing for City Council, hosted by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown in partnership with FPAC.

Hosted subcommittee meetings at Mitzvah Food Project and Old Pine Community Center to learn more about their work increasing food access.  

2018

The Anti-Hunger subcommittee advocated for the expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) benefits in the 2018 Farm Bill. 

The Anti-Hunger subcommittee convened a Food Resources 101 for City Council, hosted by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown in partnership with FPAC. The workshop was an opportunity for Council members to get an update on hunger in Philadelphia and to learn about local organizations improving food insecurity. 

The subcommittee released Philly Food Finder brochures for each City Council District in March 2018. The brochures included information on SNAP/food stamps, meals for kids, senior meals, soup kitchens, food pantries, and farmers’ markets. 

2013-2017

In 2013, the subcommittee partnered with the Restaurant Opportunities Center to host the Healthy Food and Food Access focus group with restaurant industry workers. Analysis from this focus group helped inform both the content and the format of the food resources toolkit.

The subcommittee partnered with organizations to launch Philly Food Finder, an interactive, online food resource tool. The subcommittee last updated this resource in 2018. (2021 Update: the subcommittee recommends accessing these food resource directories for up-to-date information www.phila.gov/food and https://communityresourceconnects.org) 

2011-2012

The subcommittee convened in 2011 when Mayor Nutter seated the first appointed members to the FPAC. Members immediately identified hunger as a priority issue, given the ubiquity of hunger in Philadelphia Between 2011 and 2012, the subcommittee conducted research and developed policy recommendations for the Administration.

Contact

The subcommittee currently meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 3:00pm to 4:30pm via Zoom, which can be accessed via electronic device or phone number.

We invite you to join us in our work! Please get in touch with one of the chairs if you are interested in learning more about the subcommittee or attending a meeting: