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?

I will work to protect programs that work toward food security because I know that food security is a basic part of economic security and no one should have to choose between their next meal and paying rent.   I will work to protect and strengthen Washington’s Basic Food program in an effort to combat the Federal SNAP restrictions. While Washington has already stepped up in this area for state-funded programs the Federal cuts we are seeing are going to mean many families are going to be experiencing more food insecurity. I will work to ensure that our state-funded programs remain strong in an effort to prevent families and seniors from falling further behind.   I will also work to ensure students have access to food throughout the summer months when nutrition programs at school are no longer an option. Just because the school year ends does not mean the need for these programs end.   Additionally, I believe we need to be planning for emergency situations as we see Federal programs being slashed, inflation impacts causing household budget crisis, and climate impacts. As a legislator, I believe must weigh and consider the role of food insecurity in all areas so we are thinking holistically about how to ensure all Washingtonians can thrive.

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 Council Member, I successfully fought to expand senior meal funding in Redmond. During the pandemic, seniors in our community came to me frustrated that the meals they relied on from the Community Center were dramatically reduced in size and quality. They had also lost a sense of community that came from being able to convene and have meals with other seniors.   I worked with our staff to expand the meals to twice a week, ensure that the meals were more nutritionally balanced, and provide options for seniors to gather outside to rebuild community they severely missed.   As a legislator, I will be prioritizing policy that focuses on affordability because food insecurity and affordability go hand in hand. I’ve already fought for renter protections, stronger worker protections, affordable childcare, and economic security because these things create stability and no one should be forced to choose between a meal and keeping the lights on.

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?

We are lucky in Washington to have a strong agriculture economy. I will prioritize investments in local and regional food infrastructure including processing, storage, transportation and distribution as well as increasing access to farmers markets and similar direct from farm programs for households using SNAP and other nutrition programs.   Additionally, we need to invest in financing options and grants  that help farms remain viable and remain ahead of the curve on climate change realities. As a state we also have a duty to make it easier for farmers to donate safe surplus harvests to programs that focus on combatting food insecurity.   As a legislator I will support the Farmworkers Bill of Rights because I believe that everyone at every level of our food supply chain should be treated with dignity and earn a wage that allows them to be able to afford the foods they are growing while remaining housed and focused on a sustainable future.