On Wednesday, Sept. 28, the Biden administration hosted a conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health aiming to combat food insecurity and diet-related diseases. It was the first White House conference on the issue of food insecurity since 1969.

A well-intended conference was marred by a serious gaffe by the president who called out by name the late Rep. Jackie Walorski, one of the four cosponsors of the bill to fund the conference. Rep. Walorski, an Indiana Republican, died in a car accident in August. She had been a champion for addressing the hunger issue in the U.S.

Key portions of proposals at the conference included the expansion of free school meals to 9 million more children by 2032, expanding the reach of food stamps, expanding the Summer Expanded Benefit Transfer program, more funding for food programs for seniors among others. More than $8 billion is earmarked from private and public sector commitments.

Read two stories here:

CNN reporting on the conference

NPR reporting on the Biden gaffe

Once again, the politics of our nation distract everyone from the issue which is food insecurity, hunger in America and what we are all going to do about it. Like the coming together of citizens to help those affected by Hurricane Ian, why is it that we can’t do the same for those suffering from a lack of food? Why? Because the multi-millionaires who represent US in state and federal government are not affected by hunger. Whether you’re a Republican or Democrat millionaire politician, this doesn’t impact their lives.

So that’s the bottom line – always has been and always will be – if you’re a state or federal lawmaker, unless the issue DIRECTLY affects you, forget about it. Nothing will ever get solved: of the people, by the people and for the people is a pipedream. And that’s a shame.

Our country is more divided now than it has ever been in hundreds of years. I was stunned to learn that President Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis actually had multiple phone conversations about disaster relief for Florida in the wake of Hurricane Ian. The calls were businesslike and not warm and fuzzy. That’s OK.

I feel like if Biden – who may or may not run again in 2024 – and DeSantis who is controversial in his style, can somehow work together to help Florida, perhaps there is hope. It’s a slim one at that but it’s there. There is no excuse for Biden’s error. It’s tough to get past that one. But the real issue here is not another of his infamous speaking blunders. It’s hunger in America.

Hunger will never end as long as it’s a topic for lawmakers where it sits on the side of their desks. It must be top of mind for anything to change.

In the meantime, groups like F4 with its boots on the streets will continue to fill the need. Help is needed, however. Now.

Author: Andy Hachadorian