Food Security
Last year 37.2 million Americans were food insecure. With the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional 17.1 million Americans are expected to become food insecure. Food insecurity is a public health challenge plagued with racial disparities. Prior to the pandemic, 8.1% of White Americans experienced food insecurity versus 21.2% of Black Americans. This collection of resources focuses on legal and policy interventions that target the continual challenge of food insecurity, as well as resources that address food insecurity created by the pandemic. Additional resources are in development. Check back from time-to-time for updates or subscribe to the Network Report e-newsletter for information on the latest Network resources.
Resources
50 State Survey: State Laws Addressing Food Donation
The Biden Administration’s Response to the Food Insecurity Crisis
COVID-19: Innovations in Nutrition Programs to Address Food Insecurity
Effects of Denial of SNAP Benefits on Persons with Felony Drug Convictions
Key Federal Programs to Address Student Food Insecurity When School is out of Session
Federal Emergency Food Security Measures in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Links to Additional Food Security Resources
Spotlight
Liability Protections for Food Donation Help Address Food Insecurity and Food Waste
Reducing Kids’ Consumption of Sugar and Salt through Changes in the National School Lunch Program
Biden Administration Executive Order Results in Long-Needed Update to SNAP Nutrition Benefits
Learn More
Real-time assistance for questions related to COVID-19 response
The Network can assist local, county, tribal and state health agencies with timely guidance, resources and information critical to key COVID-19 response measures, particularly in the areas of:
- public health authority and emergency powers,
- constitutionality of practices,
- health data privacy,
- protections for disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals,
- crisis standards of care, and
- ethical decision making.
Want our help?
Eastern Region Office
The Eastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Injury Prevention and Safety
» Environmental Public Health
» Food Safety
- Contact an Eastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Kathi Hoke Director (410) 706-1294
khoke@networkforphl.orgMegan Griest Chief of Staff (410) 706-0584
mgriest@networkforphl.orgKerri McGowan
LowreyDeputy Director & Director
of Grants & Research(410) 706-5994
klowrey@networkforphl.orgMathew Swinburne Associate Director (410) 706-4532
mswinburne@networkforphl.org
Mid-States Region Office
The Mid-States Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Health Information Data Sharing
» Public Health Statutes and Regulatory Information
- Contact a Mid-States Region Law & Policy Expert
Denise Chrysler Director (734) 647-1316
dchrysler@networkforphl.orgPeter D. Jacobson Co-Director Jennifer Bernstein Deputy Director (734) 764-6772
jbernstein@networkforphl.orgColleen Healy Boufides Deputy Director (734) 764-2089
chealyboufides@networkforphl.orgSallie Milam Deputy Director (952) 452-9700
smilam@networkforphl.org
Northern Region Office
The Northern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Mental Health and Well-Being
» Rural Health Equity
» Climate Resilience
- Contact a Northern Region Law & Policy Expert
Jill Krueger Director (952) 452-9705
jkrueger@networkforphl.orgBetsy Lawton Senior Staff Attorney (952) 452-9697
blawton@networkforphl.org
Southeastern Region Office
The Southeastern Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Drug Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction
» Health Reform
» Maternal and Child Health
» Public Health Agency Structure, Organization and Accreditation
» Messaging
- Contact a Southeastern Region Law & Policy Expert
Gene Matthews Director (734) 647-1316
gmatthews@networkforphl.orgJane Perkins Senior Attorney (919) 260-4303
jperkins@networkforphl.orgSarah Somers Managing Director (919) 968-6308 Ext. 102
ssomers@networkforphl.orgCorey Davis Deputy Director (310) 736-1657
cdavis@networkforphl.orgAmy Lieberman Senior Attorney (952) 500-9105
alieberman@networkforphl.org
Western Region Office
The Western Region leads the legal technical assistance and research efforts for:
» Emergency Legal Preparedness and Response
» Immunization
- Contact a Western Region Law & Policy Expert
James G. Hodge, Jr. Director (480) 727-8576
jhodge@networkforphl.orgApril Shaw Staff Attorney (480) 727-2091
ashaw@networkforphl.orgLeila Barraza Consultant (480) 965-9741
lbarraza@networkforphl.org
Legal Research & Assistance
Experienced legal experts are available to answer questions and provide research, analysis and guidance. Let us know what you’re working on and together we can figure out how we can help.
Legal Assistance Library
Explore the Network’s Legal Assistance Library to find answers to commonly asked questions on a variety of public health topics.