Texas Food Banks Partner with TDA for Annual Hunger Action Month

Long-standing partnership connects Texans with nutritious food while supporting farmers and communities

TEXAS — In honor of Hunger Action Month, which takes place every September, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Feeding Texas are teaming up to raise awareness of food insecurity and encourage Texans to take action in support of their neighbors facing hunger.

According to the latest Map the Meal Gap study, 19.4% of Texans, or nearly 1 in 5 people, experience food insecurity today, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food to lead an active, healthy life. Over 6 million Texans, including nearly 2 million children, are impacted.

“For more than two decades, TDA and Texas food banks have worked side by side to ensure nutritious food reaches families in every corner of the Lone Star State,” said Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner. “During Hunger Action Month, I encourage Texans to support their local food banks by volunteering, donating and raising awareness. When Texans come together, we can strengthen our communities and make sure our neighbors have the resources they need.”

Feeding Texas and TDA have a long-standing partnership aimed at combating hunger, improving health and supporting Texas agricultural producers through programs that reach millions of Texans each year, including:

Texans Feeding Texans: Surplus Agricultural Products Grant Program: Since 2001, the program has supported a cost-effective strategy to fight hunger, improve health, and reduce food waste. Grant funding helps offset the costs of harvesting, gleaning and transporting surplus Texas agricultural products to food banks and other charitable organizations serving Texans in need.

Summer Meal Programs: These federally funded programs are administered by TDA and help children in low-income communities access free, nutritious meals when school is not in session. Food banks and other community organizations serve as sponsors, operating meal sites across the state, and Feeding Texas supports outreach efforts to increase awareness and participation.

USDA Commodity Distribution Programs: TDA administers The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provide nutritious, American-grown foods to eligible children, older adults and families facing hunger. Food banks serve as distribution partners, leveraging their infrastructure and statewide networks to reach communities across Texas.

Together, these programs help strengthen the charitable food system, support Texas agriculture, and connect families with healthy food resources during periods of economic hardship, natural disasters and other unexpected challenges. Food banks help government programs run more efficiently by targeting services to the most vulnerable communities and reducing the administrative burden on government agencies through their established distribution networks.

“Food banks are seeing increasing demand from Texans who are working hard but still struggling to afford groceries alongside rising housing, utilities, healthcare and other living expenses,” Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, said. “Hunger Action Month reminds us that hunger touches every community and that every Texan can play a role in addressing it. Whether someone volunteers, donates, advocates or simply starts a conversation, those actions add up and help build a stronger network of support.”

Throughout September, Feeding Texas and its network of 20 food banks encourage Texans to take action and participate in Hunger Action Month by:

• Volunteering at a local food bank or food pantry
• Wearing orange (the color of hunger awareness) to raise visibility for hunger
• Talking with friends, family members and colleagues about food insecurity in Texas
• Donating funds or food to support local hunger-relief efforts
• Sharing stories and resources on social media using #HungerActionMonth.

Texans seeking assistance or opportunities to get involved can find their local food bank at SquareMeals.org/TXFoodBanks or using the locator tool at FeedingTexas.org. Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study also provides county-level information about food insecurity and food costs throughout Texas.

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About Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month is a nationwide awareness campaign that takes place every September to encourage people to take action to end hunger in their communities. During this time, local food banks and anti-hunger advocates work to bring attention to the issue of food insecurity and gather support for solutions. Hunger Action Day falls on Sept. 29 this year. On this specific day in September, advocates focus their efforts to create a greater impact, encouraging everyone to get involved by taking actions such as volunteering, donating, advocating, and raising awareness. A common symbol for the day is wearing orange, the color of hunger relief.
 

About Feeding Texas

Feeding Texas is a statewide network of food banks leading a unified effort to end hunger in Texas. Its goal is to ensure access to adequate, nutritious food for all Texans, improve the health and financial stability of the communities they serve, and engage all stakeholders in advocating for hunger solutions. Learn more at FeedingTexas.org.