Hunger is a major domestic and foreign policy issue, so it’s vital the candidates for the November elections address it. Potential voters need to hear from candidates what they intend to do about hunger, and what they have previously achieved.
Feeding the hungry has historically been a bipartisan issue in Congress, so it would be reasonable to expect candidates to continue that tradition. George McGovern (D) and Bob Dole (R) had productive careers in the Senate working together on programs that fed the hungry at home and abroad.
That kind of dedication and service is what we need to be looking for in the upcoming congressional elections. For America is better off with elected officials that help others rather than those who advance a political party, ideology or one man’s aspirations for power.
As President Franklin Roosevelt said “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
We need to build upon previous efforts to eradicate hunger, and also to increase food aid during times of emergencies. The aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Ian is an example. Florida’s foodbanks need to be well supplied to prevent hunger from becoming an escalating crisis in the months to come.
In President Biden’s disaster declaration for Florida several of the counties mentioned were already experiencing high rates of food insecurity. According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap, Desoto Country has one of the highest food insecurity rates in Florida at 15.2 percent of the population. Next door Hardee County is not far behind at 14.3 percent of its population as food insecure. Foodbanks there especially will need even more support.
Every state depends on its system of foodbanks for fighting hunger as well as federal nutrition programs like school meals and SNAP. Congress plays a vital role by supporting programs like TEFAP that supplies America’s foodbanks. There is also a big need for Congress to increase free school meals and pass legislation to provide EBT cards so needy families can buy groceries during summer months. Congress can also make a huge dent in hunger by permanently expanding the Child Tax Credit.
A Congress dedicated to fighting hunger will make America stronger, healthier and more educated. For hungry children cannot grow healthy and learn effectively in school. So we want to make sure everyone receives enough nutrition to do their best.
President Dwight Eisenhower, one of the highest rated presidents in our history, advanced hunger fighting programs at home and abroad. Eisenhower started the Food for Peace program that fights hunger around the globe to this day.
Eisenhower understood the powerful force of hunger as he witnessed it in Europe during and after World War II. Eisenhower said “food can be a powerful instrument for all the free world in building a durable peace.” Food indeed was the foundation of peace and reconstruction after WWII.
We need our elected officials to be engaged in hunger as an integral part of our foreign policy. This is especially crucial now as global hunger is at emergency levels not seen since the end of World War II.
Famine is threatening Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, Afghanistan and many other countries. Such extreme hunger leads to chaos and instability. That’s why we need our elected officials to be dedicated to fighting hunger.
This upcoming election should not be decided by campaign commercials, sound bites or partisan bickering. The best way is to look at the candidates and their ideas on fighting hunger and the other key issues.
William Lambers is the author of The Road to Peace and partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. His writings have been published by the NY Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Newsweek, History News Network and many other news outlets.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.