Advocacy & Public Policy - Capital Area Food Bank
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Advocacy & Public Policy

Enabling members of our community to thrive today and tomorrow takes more than good food; it also requires advocating for effective policies at every level of government.

We’re deeply invested in helping the people we serve gain access to the food they need today while also empowering them to build paths out of food insecurity in the long term. Advocating for programs and policies that reduce hunger and poverty is an essential part of that work.

Across every level of government in the greater Washington region, our focus is on increasing awareness and understanding of hunger and food insecurity, and enacting change on issues that will have the greatest positive impact on the lives of our clients. Our advocacy is guided and informed by data, input from a wide cross-section of partners, and the insights and experiences of our clients.

Explore our work and meet our people.

CAFB truck with Capitol dome

2024 Policy Agenda

Our 2024 policy agenda outlines the proposals we will work to advance across multiple jurisdictions this year in order to have the greatest positive impact for our clients.

Woman in face mask

Client Leadership Council

The food bank’s Client Leadership Council (CLC) exists to amplify and empower the voices of those who are too often excluded from having a seat at the table.

TEFAP Reform

Together with fellow food banks, policymakers and advocates, we are working to make The Emergency food Assistance Program (TEFAP) more meaningful, impactful, and responsive at the federal and state level.  

Putting people at the center

The people that the food bank serves are at the core of everything we do, which is why a central part of our work is to lift up the voices and perspectives of our clients and partners. Client Leadership Council members provide an essential perspective to the food bank. Their insights—about their goals, and the barriers they may face in achieving them—help to shed light on new ways we can support members of our community and create “on ramps” to greater opportunity through food and programming, as well as with services provided in partnership with others.

The Client Leadership Council ... ensures that clients like myself are further empowered to make change. It is powerful, and we are building a movement.

Joussell Lopez Client Leadership Council | Class of 2020-2021