Advocacy
Advancing solutions to the root causes of
food insecurity.
Feeding America West Michigan recognizes the link between public policy and food insecurity in the communities we serve. The food bank is committed to identifying and supporting policy solutions that ensure equitable access to nourishing food.
Feeding America West Michigan works alongside other food banks, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and the Feeding America national office to evaluate policies that impact the communities we serve. We communicate regularly with elected officials to help them understand the impact of their decisions on our neighbors.
Feeding America West Michigan’s Policy Priorities
Farm Bill Equitable Access
Historically disadvantaged farmers have consistently accessed Federal programs at lower rates. Congress should ensure the future iteration of the Farm Bill emphasizes equitable access to Farm Bill programs such as crop insurance or food subsidies.
Appropriate SNAP Benefits
Congress should ensure the FY2025 Farm Bill includes appropriately leveled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, based on the Low-Cost Food Plan, allowing our community members to access quality nutritious food at affordable rates.
Reduce SNAP Benefit Cliffs
Congress should improve the SNAP benefit-taper structure to reduce the risk of benefit cliffs. Benefit cliffs incentivize at-risk community members to curb their personal income growth to avoid crossing income thresholds which reduce benefits.
TEFAP Funding
Congress and the USDA should fund The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) at a level which supports food banks with the cost of storage and distribution of the federally purchased foods.
Public-private Partnerships
State legislators should continue to pursue public-private partnerships such as the Double-Up Food Bucks program, which allows SNAP recipients to access more fresh, healthy produce from farmers markets and participating grocery stores. Such programs utilize federally allocated dollars to inject new consumers into private markets, benefiting producers as well as consumers.
Child Tax Credit Expansion
Congress should permanently expand the Child Tax Credit to ensure that the families in our communities are able to support their children and stay ahead of growing childcare costs.