By Lilli Dubler, Building Kentucky
Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville) toured Dare to Care’s Louisville facility and got a firsthand look at its day-to-day operations ahead of the Farm Bill renewal this December. McGarvey plans to propose an increase in nutrition programming for the 2023 Farm Bill, using Dare to Care as an example for how to best serve communities across the country.
The Farm Bill is a multiyear law that governs agricultural and food programs throughout the United States. According to the Congressional Research Service, the nutrition title of the bill “provides nutrition assistance for low-income households through programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).” Congress oversees the implementation of the bill, which is renewed every five years.
“Everything from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to school lunches to feeding those with housing insecurities and food insecurities will be up in Congress this year,” McGarvey told WLKY. “Coming here to Dare to Care is a great opportunity to understand how we are feeding people in our community.”
Based in Louisville, Dare to Care is redefining what it means to be a food bank by ensuring no one in the community lacks the nutrition to live an active, healthy life. The 501 (c)(3) nonprofit partners with local food pantries, shelters and emergency kitchens to provide meals to people in need in 13 counties across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
With the 2023 Farm Bill renewal approaching, McGarvey hopes to implement more programs like Dare to Care in communities nationwide.
“It’s making sure that we’re not just feeding people’s stomachs,” McGarvey said. “We’re feeding people’s souls. We’re doing it with dignity. We’re doing it with nutrition, making sure that people are getting the actual food they need to survive and to thrive.”
