The Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) is appealing to Texas lawmakers to tackle the escalating issue of food insecurity during the 89th Texas Legislature. According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas ranks second in the nation for food insecurity, with a rate of 16.9%. This represents a 1.4% increase from the previous year. In TAFB's 13-county service area, food insecurity has surged by 21%, affecting over 512,000 individuals. The organization, along with its partners, has outlined key legislative priorities aimed at improving access to nutritious food and addressing the root causes of hunger.

Legislative Measures to Enhance Food Access and Nutrition

TAFB, as part of Feeding Texas and the Texas Food Policy Roundtable, advocates for several legislative actions to combat hunger. These measures focus on streamlining processes, supporting children's nutrition, integrating healthcare, and modernizing systems. Streamlining SNAP eligibility and implementing Summer EBT are crucial steps toward ensuring that families have consistent access to food throughout the year. Additionally, integrating food bank services into the healthcare system can improve health outcomes while reducing state healthcare costs.

To effectively address food insecurity, TAFB proposes streamlining the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility process. By adopting a six-month periodic reporting system, administrative costs could be reduced, saving the state over $33 million annually. Implementing Summer EBT would provide low-income families with $120 in food benefits during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Furthermore, integrating food bank services into the healthcare system through Medicaid reimbursement models would allow doctors to prescribe healthy food, enhancing patient health and reducing healthcare costs. Modernizing TIERS, the system used for SNAP and Medicaid applications, is also essential to fix glitches that cause delays and inaccurate denials.

Local Strategies to Combat Hunger and Improve Community Well-being

Beyond statewide initiatives, TAFB is focusing on local strategies to reduce hunger within its 13-county service area. Through collaboration with community stakeholders, the organization has identified two critical areas: expanding access to nutrition-focused healthcare and affordable childcare. These solutions aim to alleviate barriers that contribute to food insecurity and improve overall community well-being. Texas lawmakers can play a pivotal role by supporting legislation that addresses these issues.

To strengthen the connection between hunger and health, TAFB is partnering with local healthcare systems to provide nutritious food to individuals facing diet-related illnesses. The Food Rx program and Medically Tailored Meals initiative are designed to offer targeted support. Expanding access to affordable childcare is another key priority, as it allows working families to allocate resources towards essential needs like food. TAFB is developing the Ready to LearnTM Community Resource Center to provide comprehensive resources for families facing food insecurity. Recognizing that hunger intersects with other legislative topics such as housing affordability and financial security, TAFB emphasizes the importance of holistic approaches to reduce hunger and strengthen communities.