Hunger to Health Summit: Acting Together To Address Food Insecurity

The summit convened 100+ cross-sector participants and focused on hunger and health policy in Massachusetts. Speakers included FSG co-CEO Dr. Lauren Smith, Ambassador Ertharin Cousin, and Soil and Shadow founder and CEO Nikki Silvestri. MA Attorney General Maura Healey discussed statewide public health efforts. Presenters from The Coalition to End Hunger, New Jersey Healthy Kids Initiative, Boston Medical Center, Community Care Cooperative, Aunt Bertha, and The Campbell Soup Foundation showcased promising practices for improving health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health. Participants worked in small groups to co-design solutions to health and food insecurity issues. Chefs Jody Adams and Ming Tsai talked with Director of Public Affairs and Community Services and Executive Producer at WCVB/Channel 5 Boston Karen Holmes Ward.

Participants committed to:

• Make sustainable change
• Become an ambassador for food security as a public health issue
• Break silos and collaborate across sectors in each of our professional and personal communities
• Support policy solutions that further food security and health equity
• Promote and/or adopt financing models to incentivize food insecurity screening and referrals