United States House of Representatives

12/07/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/07/2021 18:56

Chairman McGovern Announces Roundtable on Hunger in Rural America

Chairman McGovern Announces Roundtable on Hunger in Rural America

Twelfth in a series of events examining the steps Congress and the Biden administration can take to finally end food insecurity in this country

WASHINGTON, DC - Rules Committee Chairman James P. McGovern (D-MA) today announced that the committee will be holding a roundtable examining hunger in rural America on Wednesday, December 8th at 1:30pm EDT. The event is the twelfth in a series of committee events highlighting the reality of food insecurity in America and examining the steps that Congress and the Biden administration can take to equitably combat it. Ending Hunger in America: Food Insecurity in Rural America follows the recent committee roundtable, Ending Hunger in America: A Conversation about Benefit Cliffs.

"I'm proud that the Biden administration and Congress are working to end years of disinvestment in rural America. COVID relief and the bipartisan infrastructure bill will make the largest investment we have ever seen in bringing internet access to underserved communities. But as we bring these communities out of the digital dark, we must also make it easier for them to start a business, grow a family, and meet the challenges of the 21st century. If we are going to end hunger in America, we must make sure that every corner of our country has the tools to thrive," said Chairman McGovern.

Chairman McGovern recently asked Americans to share their experiences, research, and possible solutions to help guide the committee in this work. He has also called for a substantive, policy-focused White House hunger conference to create the roadmap to end hunger by 2030, which the United Nations has called for.

Co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus, McGovern authored legislation which created the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program. Now in its third decade, McGovern-Dole aims to provide at least one nutritious meal a day to some of the world's most vulnerable children in a school setting. It has reduced the incidence of hunger among school-age children, increased school enrollments and attendance, and increased the support of families and communities for education. He also founded the bipartisan Food is Medicine working group in Congress to highlight how critical healthy meals are for American families.

What: Ending Hunger in America: Food Insecurity in Rural America

Who: Melissa Sobolik, Chief Executive Officer, Great Plains Food Bank

John L.S. Simpkins, President, MDC

Chris Bernard, Executive Director, Hunger Free Oklahoma

RF Buche, President, GF Buche Company

When: Wednesday, December 8th at 1:30pm EDT

Where: This proceeding will be streamed live on rules.house.gov via Cisco Webex

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