“Maryland Hunger Solutions is
leading the charge in the fight
against hunger in Maryland.
Education and advocacy efforts
like its Paper Apple Campaign and
the Fighting Hunger in Maryland
Conference are raising public
awareness of hunger and poverty
and making significant progress
in improving the nutrition, health,
and well-being of Maryland
children and families.”
–
KEVIN CONCANNON
, USDA UNDER SECRETARY
FOR FOOD, NUTRITION AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Many people are unaware of the presence of hunger and food insecurity in
their midst.
This is especially true in a state like Maryland because it ranks high in
overall measures of wealth – having the highest median household income of any
state. That’s why a starting point for spearheading positive change is educating policy
makers, the media, and public about the extent of the problem and the right solutions.
Maryland Hunger Solutions’ education efforts include:
•
Convening the annual Fighting Hunger
in Maryland Conference
. As chair
of the Maryland Food Access and
Nutrition Network, Maryland Hunger
Solutions planned and convened the
inaugural Fighting Hunger in Maryland
Conference in Baltimore in 2011.
The first of its kind in Maryland, this
conference brings together leaders
from across the state to collaborate on
efforts to end hunger. This conference
has now become an annual event
attended by hundreds of anti-hunger
advocates, service providers, clients,
and federal, state, and local policy
makers from across the state.
•
Launching Voices of Hunger and Hope
.
Hunger in Maryland has nearly one
million faces — and voices. And each
person has a story to tell. Maryland
Hunger Solutions created Voices
of Hunger and Hope — a forum for
people to talk about the challenges
they face and how they manage or
overcome their hardships, as well as an
opportunity to share their successes.
Since April 2011, it has been talking
with people who have benefitted from
each of the federal nutrition programs
as well as partners who serve those in
need. These interviews are providing
valuable insights into the struggles
that many Marylanders encounter and
the importance of federal nutrition
programs in helping to eradicate
hunger, increase access to healthy
foods, and move people out of poverty.
•
Issuing landmark publications on the
state of hunger in Maryland and how
to solve it
. As part of our educational
focus, Maryland Hunger Solutions
regularly issues reports providing policy
makers, the media, service providers,
educators, and the public statistical
information about food hardship
challenges and solutions. Its monthly
newsletter highlights a range of
information, and special reports focus
on key topics such as participation
rates for the Afterschool Meal Program,
Summer Nutrition Programs, and
the School Breakfast Program, both
across the state and in every county.
Public Education
F IVE YEARS OF SOLVING HUNGER AND IMPROVING NUTRI T ION IN MARYLAND
8
SOLVING HUNGER AND IMPROVING NUTRIT ON IN MARYLAND: THE FIRST FIVE YE RS
