Local Food Advocacy

Current Policy Priorities

Food Gatherers advocates for local, state, and federal policies and programs that address food insecurity and its causes, but we can’t do it alone. Your voice matters! Here are some of the current policy priorities, which need your support. Click the links below to learn more.

• The Next Farm Bill to strengthen critical nutrition programs
• Child Nutrition Reauthorization (school meals, summer meals, child care meals, WIC)
• Enhancing SNAP benefits to promote economic stimulus
• Funding The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to better support food banks
• Extending the increase in the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit to aid families with children

Take Action

We believe in a land of plenty, no one should go hungry. Take action to help our neighbors facing hunger and ensure our lawmakers make ending hunger a priority.

Contact your elected officials and encourage them to take action on hunger relief efforts and make decisions about legislation affecting millions of hungry Americans, including many in our local community. Visit Feeding America’s web page on Advocacy and Taking Action for detailed information on current policy priorities and legislation.

Contact Your Elected Officials:
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Michigan Legislature

Food Bank Council of Michigan

The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) provides statewide leadership to food banks in their efforts to alleviate hunger through the distribution of surplus food to those in need. Learn more.

Washtenaw County Food Policy Council 

The Washtenaw County Food Policy Council is composed of 18 volunteers representing different parts of the food system. Food Gatherers is actively engaged with the Council, representing the emergency food system. The Council has multiple Policy Action Teams, which function as volunteer workgroups tackling different issue areas. Learn more.