Update: In the Governor’s press release about the waiver submission he mentioned welcoming stakeholder input into the process and plan as it moves forward.  In light of that, the Department of Social Services has opened a 30 day public comment period in which they are accepting comments on the waiver submitted via this email address:...Lee mas

On July 31, 2025, more than 30 cross-sector partners gathered in Columbia, Missouri, meeting inside the incredible new Food Bank Market at The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri. Convened as the Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership, our charge was clear: to understand how the newly-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is reshaping...Lee mas

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, is under threat of significant cuts by the federal government. Right now, the House Appropriations Committee has advanced a budget proposal that follows the Trump administration’s plan to slash WIC benefits. Specifically, it would cut the fruit and vegetable portion of WIC...Lee mas

Tonight, I’m catching a flight to Washington, D.C. to meet with staffers of Missouri’s congressional delegation and express Missourians’ opposition to the $300 billion in proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Congress’s “one big, beautiful bill.” Empower Missouri’s focus has traditionally been on state-level policy, but the proposed cuts to Medicaid...Lee mas

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee has proposed a $300 billion cut to SNAP, nearly 30% of the federal funding for the nation’s largest anti-hunger program and the largest cut in the 85-year history of the program. One out of ten Missourians use SNAP benefits to put meals on their table. These cuts to SNAP will...Lee mas

Imagine a food system that breaks down silos, fosters innovation and collaboration, and creates sustainable food access for all Missourians that is supported through a robust, equity-focused statewide Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI). This is exactly what the Missouri Rural Food Access Partnership came together to accomplish on April 3rd when 33 participants representing 23...Lee mas

Date: February 26, 2025To: Senator Brown, Chairman and Members, Senate Economic Workforce and Development CommitteeFrom: Amanda Berry, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Our support for SB 57 Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Food Security Coalition. This coalition is made...Lee mas