Union-Snyder Hunger Coalition

Imagine a cold day at the end of January, 2023. Despite the weather and the meeting starting at 1pm on a Monday, which we all know can be a busy day, over 60 people from across the SUN region gather at the Miller Center because they are committed to addressing food security in our community.

The Hunger Coalition is a network of growers, producers, distributors, donors, clients, and volunteers who work to collectively respond to food insecurity. The Coalition first began regularly meeting in October of 2020, after transitioning from the Sowing Change Conference, a collaboration that started between the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency (CAA), Susquehanna and Bucknell University in 2016. The community initiative is now led by Rachel Herman and Nicole Peterson of CAA. In 2022, a strategic plan and mission statement were established by the strategic planning sub-committee and now, in 2023, that work is being carried out by several subcommittees and Hunger Coalition members.

Currently a coordinating committee helps to oversee and guide the three sub-committees that make up the Coalition. Those three subcommittees include: Education & Outreach, Growers & Producers, and SUN Food Access. All four committees work towards specific goals outlined in the Hunger Coalition’s strategic plan.

During the first in-person Hunger Coalition in January, many stakeholders built new connections and strengthened current relationships through discussions within the four committee areas. The energy in the room was palpable, with ideas ranging from having a standing donation table at local farmer’s markets to creating a book club featuring books about food justice that could be hosted at different local businesses. Attendees also learned about the Central PA Food Bank’s Hunger Mapping Project slated to occur in Union and Snyder counties this year as well as shared ways that we can all better support and foster connections between growers and producers, who play a vital role in our food ecosystem.

This year, the Hunger Coalition hopes to raise awareness about their work, invite more folks to join the network, host several events that help to educate around this important community priority, and raise funds for this regional effort.

The Coalition’s next event is the annual 5K/Walk fundraiser on April 22nd at the Miller Center in Lewisburg. Find the details and register online at runsignup.com

If you are interested in learning more about the Coalition, would like to get connected or are interested in how you can support this work, please reach out to Rachel

Herman at rherman@union-snydercaa.org. You can also visit unionsnydercaa.org/hunger-coalition website to learn more about the Coalition.

April 18th

Young Americans Leadership at Susquehanna University

7:30am-2:30pm

May Young Americans Recognition Ceremony

6:30-8pm

September 15th

Young Americans Golf Classic 9am at Knoebles Three Ponds Golf Course