Federal Policy Updates

Check out Feeding America’s advocacy center for information about current federal legislation related to hunger and nutrition.

Current information about national legislation is also available from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).

FY12 Agricultural Appropriations Bill

The Senate will soon bring the Appropriations Committee-passed version of the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations before the full Senate for consideration.

Among those programs funded by this bill are the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). All three programs provide essential support for food assistance programs and families that need them.

Take Action

1. Call Massachusetts Senators Brown and Kerry.

Just call the Hunger Action Center hotline at 1-877-698-8228 to be connected directly to both of your Senators. You will be asked to enter your home zip code. When you are transferred through to the Senators’ offices, please deliver the following message:

• I urge Senator [Name] to vote for passage of the Senate’s FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations legislation when it comes to the Senate floor and to oppose any amendments that would strip funding from valuable food assistance programs.
• This bill funds programs such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) which are critical to addressing hunger in low-income families all across the state.
• Hunger is a real problem in Massachusetts.  With unemployment stuck above 9% nationally and millions of families struggling to find work or working for reduced wages, the need for food assistance in our community remains incredibly high.  Protecting anti-hunger programs throughout the budget process is critical to reducing hunger in our state.

2. Keep up the Pressure through Social Media!

After you call, you can further amplify your voice by posting your message on Senator Brown’s Facebook page or spreading the word through your own social media networks. Be sure to include your zip code in your message to let him know you are a constituent and simply urge to vote YES on the FY2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill. We must use all of the channels available to let our elected officials know we are watching their votes closely!