Food & Nutrition Security Task Force Sets Priorities to Address Food Access

Philly Continues to Address one of the Highest Food Insecurity Rates Among Major U.S. Cities

Philadelphia City Council’s Food and Nutrition Security Task Force convened its first official meeting recently to strategize and develop comprehensive solutions to combat hunger, assess and address the root causes of hunger, and improve access to nutritious food in Philadelphia. The Task Force is comprised of 25 leaders and experts in urban agriculture, food distribution, retail, nutrition, and advocacy,

In 2024, Council President Kenyatta Johnson (Second District) introduced, and City Council approved Resolution #240125-A, establishing the Food and Nutrition Security Task Force as an advisory board dedicated to tackling food insecurity.

According to Feeding America’s 2023 Map the Meal Gap report, more than 210,000 Philadelphians—13.6% of the city’s residents—struggled with food insecurity. The issue has disproportionately affected communities of color, with 22% of Black households and 23% of Hispanic households lacking reliable access to nutritious food. Additionally, 25% of Philadelphia’s children experienced food insecurity, leading to developmental and educational challenges.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson emphasized this initiative at the meeting stating: “Food insecurity is an urgent issue affecting thousands of Philadelphians every day. We launched this Task Force to bring together leaders and experts to create sustainable solutions that ensure every resident has access to nutritious food. Addressing hunger is a necessity for equity, health, and economic stability in our city.”

Co-chair George Matysik, Executive Director of Share Food Program, also shared his perspective: “Food insecurity disrupts every corner of society’s framework – public health, education, social wellbeing, the economy, community development. So, in a city where hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are battling hunger, we have to fight for them and we have to fight to win.” He continued, “With the formation of this Task Force, we’ll be fighting with some of the most dedicated people across the food distribution, advocacy, and agriculture sectors. Huge thanks to Council President Kenyatta Johnson, who has been instrumental in us getting to this point. My hope is that together, we aren’t just focused on feeding folks today, but that we’re also ensuring they have the support to feed themselves tomorrow. Food is a human right and, with the right resources, hunger is an easily solvable issue.”

Mark Edwards, President & CEO, The Food Trust and Task Force co-chair said: “In Philadelphia, far too many families struggle to put nourishing food on the table. As members of the City of Philadelphia’s newly formed Food and Nutrition Security Task Force—and as professionals dedicated to building healthy communities—we are coming together to tackle the urgent challenge of improving our city’s nutrition security. Food is a fundamental need, and now more than ever, we must act to ensure all our neighbors have the nourishment they need to thrive.”

The Task Force will develop a set of comprehensive recommendations and an action plan to address food insecurity in Philadelphia. In the coming months, members will engage in research, hold public hearings, and collaborate on strategies that promote sustainable food access and security.

Food and Nutrition Security Task Force Members are as follows:

• George Matysik, Executive Director of Share Food Program (Co-Chair)
• Mark Edwards, President & CEO of The Food Trust (Co-Chair)
• Loree Jones-Brown, CEO of Philabundance
• Eli Moraru, Co-Founder and President of The Community Grocer
• Alexandre Imbot, Co-Founder and CEO of The Community Grocer
• Alex Baloga, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association
• Najja R. Orr, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging
• Don Hinkle-Brown, President & CEO of the Reinvestment Fund
• Senbagam Virudachalam, MD, Pediatrician and PolicyLab faculty member at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
• Ty Holmberg, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Sankofa Community
• Chris Bolden-Newsome, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Sankofa Community Farm
• Nicole Laverty, RDN, LDN, Chief Operations Officer of MANNA
• Danielle D’Alessandro, Corporate Affairs Principal of GoPuff
• Michael Banks, Executive Director of the Promise at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
• Harry G. Hayman IV, Sr. Fellow for The Food Economy/Policy at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
• Jacob Zychick, Community Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association, Greater Philadelphia Advocacy Division
• Jamal Wells, Co-Founder of The Mama-Tee Community Fridge Project
• Kristin Romens, Director of the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services
• Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director of Sharing Excess
• Ken Yang, CEO of Penn Asian Senior Services
• Marianne Fray, President & CEO of the Maternity Care Coalition
• Haile Johnston, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of The Common Market

Within the next year, the Task Force is expected to present a report detailing its findings and recommendations to address food insecurity in Philadelphia.

For public inquiries or to submit comments to the Task Force, email PHLCouncilFoodSecurityTaskForce@phila.gov.

This article originally appeared on phlcouncil.com.