Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Work to End Food Insecurity in Seattle
Food insecurity is on the rise across the United States. In fact, the USDA recently reported that the nation is seeing the sharpest rise in food insecurity since the 2008 financial crisis.
Food insecurity happens when a household is unable to eat full or nutritious meals due to financial constraints. For so many families across the country, that means eating a reduced quality — and oftentimes less nutritious — or amount of food in order to save money.
Last year, just more than 10% of households in the U.S. reported being food insecure. This year, that number rose to nearly 13%, and it’s even higher for households with children — 17.3%. There were significant racial disparities as well: 22% of Black (non-Hispanic) households with children were food insecure; 21% of Hispanic households.
Even with food insecurity on the rise, mayors’ efforts to reduce food insecurity in America’s cities are helping to feed thousands who would otherwise go hungry.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is one of many mayors across the country who have made addressing food insecurity a top priority, especially for households with children. In Seattle, an average of one-in-ten residents have experienced food insecurity from 2018 through 2021, and one-in-six children is food insecure.
The City of Seattle provides $34 million annually in investments toward food security and food access, including funding for preschools, Seattle Public Schools, after-school and summer meal programs, community and senior meal programs, food banks, and programs such as Fresh Bucks, Farm to Preschool, and the Food Equity Fund. These investments and programs are foundational to the City’s commitment to affordability and livability for Seattle residents as well as fostering an equitable, sustainable, and resilient local food system.
The City’s work was highlighted by several projects and national recognition in recent years.
In 2023, the Department of Neighborhood’s Food Equity Fund supported more than $2 million in community-led efforts to reduce food insecurity. The fund focuses on projects led by and for communities most impacted by food insecurity and health inequities including BIPOC and low-income communities and is funded by the Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax.
“We know that food insecurity remains high in our region, which is why the Food Equity Fund is a critical investment in the health and wellbeing of our community, ensuring that every neighbor can access fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant foods,” said Mayor Harrell.
The Seattle Farm to Preschool program was recognized as a 2023 Harkin on Wellness designee by the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement. The program highlights the top wellness and nutrition initiatives in the country through an annual symposium and report.
In 2023, Mayor Harrell amplified the City’s annual Summer Food Service Program (Summer Meals), part of a longstanding program to provide nutritious meals to children in Seattle during the summer months. The program served almost 100,000 meals and snacks in 2023.
“The Summer Meals program is a testament to our city’s commitment to ensuring our children are well-fed and nourished, especially during the summer months,” said Mayor Harrell. “We’re not only providing meals; we’re closing the gap for kids who rely on free or reduced lunch during the school year.”
While the Summer Meals program has been operating for 63 years, this year Mayor Harrell created Summer Meals Awareness Week to increase participation among children and families who need it.
In late 2022, Mayor Harrell joined Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones at a local middle school to highlight the importance of school meals in food security efforts. The City of Seattle grants funds to the school district to provide a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program at 26 schools, and works to increase student access to school meals that are freshly made with locally-sourced, sustainably produced, and culturally diverse ingredients.
Increasing community food security and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food is a key priority in Seattle’s forthcoming Food Action Plan, the city’s roadmap for an equitable, sustainable, and resilient local food system that supports healthy, vibrant communities. The Plan outlines actions the City can take to improve our local food system while advancing interrelated goals of racial and social justice, food security, food sovereignty, health, environmental sustainability, economic development, fair labor, and more. The updated Plan, which will be released in 2024, is also a framework to coordinate and align many City departments that manage food programs and policies.
To advance his One Seattle vision of a safe, equitable, and thriving city, Mayor Harrell has prioritized efforts to build a sustainable local food system. Under his leadership, Seattle will continue to advance programs and partnerships that improve access to healthy, nutritious, and culturally-relevant foods for all residents.
