What actions would you take as a state legislator to protect and strengthen Washington’s food security safety net, including both public nutrition programs and the food banks and food pantries serving communities across the state?

Washington’s food security safety net depends on both strong public nutrition programs and well-resourced food banks and pantries. In 2023, I sponsored HB 1499, which became law and gave food banks greater flexibility to use state funding for essential non-food items like diapers, menstrual products, and hygiene supplies. I will continue supporting strong state investments in the Emergency Food Assistance Program and ensuring food banks and pantries have the flexibility to respond to the needs of their communities.  I will also support efforts to strengthen Washington’s school meal programs and other state-supported nutrition programs so that children, seniors, and families can access reliable, nutritious food. Finally, I will continue supporting policies that improve household economic security and make essentials like housing and childcare more affordable, helping reduce the financial pressures that can lead families to rely on emergency food assistance.

What have you done to understand food insecurity in the communities you seek to represent—including engaging with people experiencing hunger or local hunger-relief organizations—and what policies would you prioritize to address the root causes of hunger and ensure Washington residents can afford and access the food they need?

As a legislator, I have seen firsthand how challenges like housing costs, childcare, healthcare, and transportation can put pressure on a family’s ability to afford basic necessities including food. Our office has helped connect residents with state agencies, benefits, and other resources, giving me a better understanding of the barriers families face in accessing the support they need. I have also worked directly with community organizations and local leaders to better understand the needs of the communities I represent. Going forward, I will prioritize policies that address the root causes of hunger by making housing, childcare, healthcare, and other necessities more affordable, while strengthening school meals and state-supported nutrition programs and supporting the food banks and community organizations that provide critical assistance. I will continue listening to constituents and the organizations serving them to make sure the state policy we pass reflects the challenges families face every day.

What policies or investments would you support to strengthen Washington’s food system, increase access to locally produced food, support Washington farmers and producers, and reduce food waste?

I cosponsored HB 2301 to reduce food waste and encourage food donations, including through grants prioritizing food donations, animal feed, and composting. I also introduced HB 1936 to provide tax incentives for farmers who participate in conservation programs and invest in equipment, seed, feed, and other farm inputs. I will continue to support investments that help Washington farmers and producers remain economically viable, expand access to Washington-grown food, strengthen local food infrastructure, and keep usable food out of landfills. We should continue working to make it easier for locally produced food to reach schools, food banks, and families across Washington.