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?

If possible, I would like to adjust the verbiage to allow smaller food banks to qualify for grants especially for construction and or movement to a new building that is still within range of the cities needs. In this instance, I feel like my hometown Othello is a great example. The amount of space that they have is so little, they absolutely do need a new location! For those who are currently on SNAP, I intend to address Dynamic and Surge pricing. This would help people save money on groceries especially when it is on unlimited amounts. I am also open to addressing price discrimination, allowing small businesses to afford food more easily as well as making those items cheaper for customers. The tricky one, if I may be frank, is “second-hand price discrimination,” per a screenshot and images I took, a bag of cheese for example may be 24.6 cents per oz at 8 oz, whereas a 32 oz bag of cheese will be 21.6 cents per oz. This is tricky because it also interferes with the free market. My goal isn’t to interfere. That may no be possible, won’t bullcrap you there, but it’s an area I’d like to look more into. There’s also supporting the Food Stamps the state funds. The Federal Gov. shutdown last year was terrible. The State needs to work with the Feds, and be ready when the Feds are unreliable. I also intend to address Surge and Dynamic pricing for customers. I also intend to oppose legislation that limits what food stamps may buy.

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?

I’ve volunteered at the food bank & I’m a chatterbox at my Prison job, so I sometimes discuss the financial environment the people, and inmates, have faced prior to incarceration. Sometimes, it’s also about educating people on moderation. e.g. people who demonize eating too much apples (or other fruits) in general, worrying about the sugars. Completely disregarding the “natural sugars” aspect. We can encourage local school districts on that, but I’m cautious of a statewide mandate that may be difficult for these rural areas to run, to be honest. Then there’s affordability crisis. I’d consider the benefits cliff issue if the Working Families Tax Credit and childcare. Encourage Universal Healthcare, the number one cause of bankruptcy, too.

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 would support a policy, if possible, to encourage less ultra processed foods, especially in our schools, and more local foods. In my district, it is heavy with apples, cherries, potatoes, corn, etc. There’s also saving our resources for farmers, like water! So I will happily help with the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, and prevent Data Centers from taking all of our water and power. Then there is Right-to-Repair for our farmers and their tractors (to be frank, I’m not sure how much that would immediately be viable, not much farmers have reached back to me). Not to endorse my opponent, but he pushed for a agricultural fuel exemption for farmers from the Climate Commitment Act. I like that idea, too! For literal Farm-to-Table, consider the State to purchase more from local farmers for schools and flood banks. This would also help address ultra processed foods in schools, gotta address that as well.