Group of people in library discussing policy

Advocacy

We champion the anti-hunger policies and food assistance legislation that can make real change happen across our communities and schools.

Uniting Our Voices to Foster Progress

Hunger relief requires commitment, resources and action on numerous fronts. Anti-hunger legislation may be less visible than grocery pop-ups or food shelves in your neighborhood, but it’s just as vital in connecting those in need with food resources.

That’s why Second Harvest Heartland advocates for the public programs and policies that nourish our communities and work to end hunger. At the regional, state and federal levels in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we work together to mobilize support and unite our voices to ensure everyone can access the food assistance they need.

Our unique position as one of the nation’s largest, most efficient and innovative hunger relief organizations helps us connect community voices, issues and stories with elected officials and policymakers.

Together, we’re actively working to:

  • Address food insecurity for children, seniors and working families.
  • Help end child hunger in schools.
  • Ensure all our neighbors have affordable access to the healthy food they need to thrive.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WORK    GET THE FACTS ON HUNGER

 

Coming Together in Food Advocacy

Join us in supporting anti-hunger policies and programs that impact Minnesota and Wisconsin. Your commitment makes our efforts possible—and more powerful. Add your name to our list of hunger-fighting advocates and we’ll keep you up-to-date on our priorities, invite you to educational trainings, offer volunteer opportunities and ask you to mobilize around timely issues.

SIGN UP TODAY

Young child in head scarf eating lunch at school

HUNGER-FREE SCHOOLS

From Vision to Action

The Hunger-Free Schools campaign advances policy change to make it easier for Minnesota students to access more nutritious meals at school, in order to end child hunger.
SNAP EBT card

A CRITICAL TOOL DURING CRISIS

Funding SNAP

Find out why the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet in the fight against hunger. More than 92 percent of SNAP spending goes directly to benefits that households use to purchase food.
Farmer's Market

AFFORD FRESH PRODUCE

Helping Low-Income Households

The Market Bucks program makes it easy for SNAP participants to receive additional funds to use at farmers markets, making fresh and local foods more affordable. Plus, it’s an easy way to support farmers and put more dollars right back into our local economy.
A child eats a sandwich at a park

MORE THAN A SUMMER MEAL

Tackling Child Hunger

During the school year, more than 31 percent of K-12 students in Minnesota are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. During summer, there are thousands of free meal sites across the state to extend access to healthy nutrition and meals.