State Activity

State laws, policies, and regulations are critical levers for the progressive realization of the right to food in the United States. Working closer to home, state legislatures and governments can be more nimble and responsive to organizing in their local context. State-level advocacy also provides opportunities to build momentum across a region or in states of similar size when one state sets an example for others to follow.   

 

We work with partners and legislators at the state level to develop, campaign for, and enact legislation that respects, protects, and fulfills the right to food. This includes laws and policies that lead to: 

• Resilient local and regional food systems

• Robust  farming and fishing economies

• School meals for all

• Increased minimum wages

• Public health facilities providing fresh food prescriptions to prevent and treat diet-related disease

 

Our members lead and participate in food policy working groups and coalitions, extending the community of people advocating for a right to food approach. This advocacy draws attention to the intersecting challenges of hunger and food insecurity, diet-related health issues, exploitation of food chain workers, degradation of our waters and soils, and the climate crisis. 

 

Maine was the first state in the country to embed a Right to Food constitutional amendment in 2021, and momentum is growing elsewhere. Right to food legislation is in place or in development in the following states

Opportunities to get involved:

 

Membership meetings take place monthly and are open to all members. Updates are shared about state level advocacy efforts and strategies to build momentum. 

 

The State Legislation and Amendments working group is a space for members to share tools, strategies, and learning between campaigns to extend protections for the right to food at a state level.