The Texas Department of Agriculture and Feeding Texas announced Sept. 1 that they are teaming up for Hunger Action Month, a nationwide September campaign to raise awareness of food insecurity and encourage Texans to support neighbors facing hunger.
The partnership comes as food insecurity remains widespread in the state. According to the latest Map the Meal Gap study cited in the agency’s release, 19.4 percent of Texans, or nearly one in five people, lack consistent access to enough food to lead an active, healthy life. The release said more than 6 million Texans, including nearly 2 million children, are affected.
“For more than two decades, TDA and Texas food banks have worked side by side to ensure nutritious food reaches families in every corner of the Lone Star State,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in the release. “During Hunger Action Month, I encourage Texans to support their local food banks by volunteering, donating and raising awareness. When Texans come together, we can strengthen our communities and make sure our neighbors have the resources they need.”
The agency outlined three programs that anchor its long-standing work with Feeding Texas. The Texans Feeding Texans Surplus Agricultural Products Grant Program, in place since 2001, helps offset the costs of harvesting, gleaning and transporting surplus Texas agricultural products to food banks and other charitable organizations. TDA also administers federally funded summer meal programs that provide free meals to children in low-income communities when school is out, with food banks serving as sponsors and Feeding Texas supporting outreach. In addition, the agency administers The Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which distribute American-grown foods to eligible children, older adults and families through food bank networks.
According to the release, these programs strengthen the charitable food system, support Texas agriculture and help government programs run more efficiently by using food banks’ established distribution networks to reach the most vulnerable communities.
Feeding Texas CEO Celia Cole said demand is rising. “Food banks are seeing increasing demand from Texans who are working hard but still struggling to afford groceries alongside rising housing, utilities, healthcare and other living expenses,” Cole said in the release. “Hunger Action Month reminds us that hunger touches every community and that every Texan can play a role in addressing it.”
Throughout September, Feeding Texas and its network of 20 food banks are encouraging Texans to volunteer at a local food bank or pantry, wear orange to raise visibility, talk with others about food insecurity, donate funds or food, and share resources on social media using #HungerActionMonth. Hunger Action Day falls on Sept. 29 this year, according to the release. Texans seeking assistance or ways to get involved can find their local food bank at SquareMeals.org/TXFoodBanks or FeedingTexas.org.