Helping Oregonians put food on the table
Everyone has a right to food. At Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon, we are working toward a day when our state is hunger-free; when every Oregonian - from kids to adults to seniors – is healthy and thriving because they have access to affordable, nourishing food.
A cornerstone of our work is to design and implement projects that connect Oregonians at risk of hunger to the federal nutrition programs available, helping people with the ability to purchase food and access prepared meals for children within the school environment and during summer break.
This network of programs makes up the safety-net that prevents hunger reduces poverty for many people in our country. We work with partners across the state to ensure everyone has access to these resources, using outreach to close the gap.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a federal program that focuses on putting healthy and nutritious food within reach for low income Oregonians. The program has been a tremendous success in reducing childhood hunger and malnutrition. Currently, more than 26 million Americans, including over 600,000 Oregonians, receive SNAP benefits each month.
SNAP benefits, provided on the Oregon Trail card, create a positive ripple effect in society, and are as essential today as they were when the program began. Families, older adults, people with disabilities, and hard-working Oregonians are able to get the support they need to stay in school, keep their jobs, and keep food on the table.
Since our inception in 2006, PHFO has designed and implemented projects that improve program access through effective communication, outreach and application assistance for eligible Oregonians. We provide trainings to community partners who are interested in connecting people to SNAP, and work closely with partners across the state to improve services for all.
School Meals
Through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service Department, several nutrition programs are available that provide healthy food to children in school.
Administered by the Oregon Department of Education, these programs make available breakfast, lunch, in-school snacks, and after school meals and snacks for all children.
Some children are eligible for these services at not cost to the parents, and others can access meals through paying a small fee.
These programs help prevent hunger and obesity, and give students the best opportunity to make the most of learning. Approximately 315,000 students across Oregon are eligible for free or reduced price meals, however only about 210,000 access lunch, and 110,000 access breakfast in school.
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon designs and implements projects that focus on closing the gap between the number of children that are eligible, and the number of eligible children accessing free or reduced cost meals in school.
Connecting students to these available resources early on ensures that they are able to grow up happy and healthy!
Summer Meals When School is Out
Thousands of Oregon children participate in school nutrition during the school year. Through the USDA, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides funds for organizations to serve meals to children during the summer when school is not in session.
Of the 315,000+ children eligible for free or reduced price meals in school, only about 35,000 access free meals through the summer, leaving a huge gap of kids who are faced with hunger through a time of year that is supposed to be about fun in the sun!
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon offers statewide program outreach and technical assistance to local communities starting new or expanding existing services. We also work with the Oregon Department of Education to increase the visibility of this program across the state to make sure all Oregon kids who need a nourishing meal in the summer can access one.