By David Roberts, CT State Grange Lecturer

At the 158^th National Grange convention in Bettendorf, Iowa, National Grange President Chris- tine E. Hamp made  a  significant announcement that marked a new chapter for our fraternal organization. She revealed that the Grange would launch “Project Sustenance” to spotlight the talents and expertise of our members to address food in- security across the United States. This initiative aims to harness the collective knowledge of other national partners, Grange members and their communities, particularly in the realms of homesteading, agriculture, and food production, to combat one of the nation’s most pressing issues: hunger. During her national address, President Hamp said “No organization is better situated than the Grange to better our communities. I am calling on each Grange to make food security and nutrition a priority’”

This new focus on food insecurity was highlighted in a series of seminars during the National Convention that featured Grange members sharing their knowledge and strategies. I was honored to be asked to present on this new focus area that directly ties into the Grange’s over- arching goal of using member expertise to alleviate hunger.

My workshop focused on the broader issue of food insecurity. As a longtime advocate for sustainable food systems and a fourth generation Grange member, I ad- dressed hunger at both the community and national levels. My seminar delved into the root causes of food in- security, discussing economic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to hunger in rural and urban areas alike.

I stressed the need for a multifaceted approach to solving food insecurity, one that includes not only local food production but also policy advocacy, resource distribution, and support for food banks and other community organizations. I highlighted successful models of food cooperatives, urban gardening projects, and local food hubs, encouraging Grange members to consider these solutions as part of their broader efforts to combat hunger at the local level. I also highlighted that every county in the United States has residents facing food insecurity. This session on food insecurity exemplifies the Grange’s new focus on community-driven solutions to hunger. By providing practical skills and encouraging broader systemic change, my seminar served as a call to action for all Grangers to become more involved in addressing food insecurity in your communities.

President Chris Hamp’s announcement and my seminar made it clear that the National Grange is committed to leveraging its collective expertise and resources to ad- dress hunger in the U.S. With dedicated members leading the way, the Grange is poised to play a significant role in creating sustainable, long-term solutions to food insecurity across the country.