Distinguished Panel to Discuss Challenges and Pose Solutions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Adach, (202) 986-2200 x3018
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| Eleanor Clift, Cecilia Muñoz, Janet Murguía, and Maria S. Gomez discuss hunger in the Hispanic community. |
Washington, D.C. – June 8, 2011 – While the federal nutrition programs have been a lifeline for millions of Americans – and have prevented hunger rates from growing in terrible economic times – still tens of millions of Americans are not getting access to the healthy food they need. This fact is especially true for the Hispanic community, and the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is hosting a panel discussion during its 21st Annual Dinner to examine and present solutions to this challenge.
USDA data show that more than one in four (26.9 percent) Hispanic households struggles with hunger – a rate that is twice the overall national rate. Rates are even higher for families with children, with one in three Hispanic households with children being food insecure.
Moderated by Newsweek contributor Eleanor Clift, the panel includes: Maria S. Gomez, President and CEO of Mary’s Center; Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; and Janet Murguía, President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza.
Panelists will discuss the particular challenges facing the Hispanic community, including low participation rates in federal nutrition programs, language barriers, and limited access to healthy and affordable foods.
“Nearly four in ten Hispanics are worried about not having enough resources to put food on the table. Much more must be done to connect this community with the food and resources they need,” said Jim Weill, FRAC President. “Proposals in Congress that would make fundamental changes to SNAP by converting it into a “block grant” program and making drastic cuts to funding, or that would place a cap on spending would cause irreparable harm to all who struggle against hunger. Last week, more than 2,500 organizations told Congress that this was the wrong path to take.”
More than 300 people will attend the dinner and panel discussion, which will be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. The proceeds from the dinner will benefit FRAC's Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which aims to provide children with the nutrition they need to be healthy, to learn, and to grow. The Campaign works to raise awareness of existing programs, create partnerships with local groups to craft innovative strategies, and develop long-term strategies to improve programs. Generous support for the dinner was provided by General Mills, as well as Abbott, PepsiCo, Taste of the NFL, E S Foods and the “got breakfast” Foundation, Land O’Lakes, Inc., Nestlé USA, Tyson Foods, Inc., Unilever United States, and Yum! Brands.
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The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) is the lead advocacy organization working to end hunger in America through stronger public policies. For more information, visit www.frac.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/foodresearchandactioncenter or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/fractweets.
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