Farm Bill

The Farm Bill helps give children access to nutritious food – here at home and around the world

The first ever Farm Bill was passed in 1933, providing critical support to farmers devastated by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Anti-hunger programs were added in the 1970s.

Today, it’s our nation’s largest package of anti-hunger legislation. Its programs fund nutrition assistance, support farmers addressing the impacts of climate change and help families in the U.S. and around the world build resilience to chronic challenges and sudden crises.

The Farm Bill is our greatest defense against the growing global hunger crisis – but it’s set to expire in September 2023.

We’re facing the worst hunger crisis in a century

The number of hungry children is rising. Their physical and mental health is at risk – and so are their futures.

  • Over 9 million kids in the U.S. are facing hunger
  • SNAP benefits don’t cover the cost of an average meal in 96% of U.S. counties
  • Globally, nearly 8 million children are at risk of death from severe malnutrition
  • Some are subjected to child marriage and child labor to help put food on the table

The Basics

What does the Farm Bill do?

In the United States:

Provides financial support so about 20 million kids can access the food they need via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

 

Around the World:

  • Offers emergency food support in the wake of sudden disasters
  • Helps communities manage chronic challenges and bounce back from sudden crises by:
    • Expanding access to farm equipment and agricultural loans
    • Providing nutrition education
    • Training on water management practices

This approach works.

Every $1 invested in SNAP benefits puts $1.50 back into the local economy – and every $1 invested in resilience-building programs saves $3 in humanitarian response.

Learn more about the history of the Farm Bill here. 

What’s Our Ask?

To protect children’s futures, we must make big investments in SNAP, international food aid and resilience-building programs in the next Farm Bill.

We ask Congress to:

  • Protect and strengthen SNAP, including assuring benefits are adequate
  • Preserve SNAP recipients’ ability to spend benefits on whatever food they wish
  • Strengthen international food aid programs to save lives when extreme weather and conflict strike
  • Invest in families’ long-term resilience with resources like farm equipment, agricultural loans, nutrition education and water and risk management practices

These measures would help prevent future hunger crises – and save millions of lives.

We’re fed up with child hunger. Aren’t you?

Get Fed Up is a movement to finally end childhood hunger. We’re leading the fight against food insecurity with a campaign to raise awareness and inspire lasting change – and we need your support.

Get Fed Up and Get Involved. Together, we can create a world without hunger.

Advocate

Tell your members of Congress to prioritize children in the next Farm Bill by signing our petition

Sign the petition →

Fundraise

Start an online fundraiser

 

 

Fundraise Now →

Mobilize

Learn more about how to educate and create volunteer opportunities within your community

Learn More →

Learn more about how the Farm Bill fights child hunger

Build a Better Farm Bill for Children
A powerful tool in the fight against hunger.

 

Hunger in Rural America

Get the facts about SNAP here.

 

Global Hunger

Watch this video to learn more about our resilience programs.