Fighting for Food Access

Thousands of Maine residents struggle with food insecurity. To put that into perspective, 1 in 8 people face hunger in Maine. Rural communities are especially vulnerable with limited access to grocery stores and fresh food options. The addition of inflation and rising food prices have further strained household budgets, making food assistance programs more critical than ever.  At the Belfast Community Co-op, we strive to make food accessible to all through many different programs. However, funding for these programs is being threatened and we need your help to protect it.

Programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) were created to help low-income families access nutritious foods. Over 170,000 residents in Maine, including children, people with disabilities, and seniors, rely on SNAP. WIC specifically provides low-income mothers and children with access to nutritious food, baby formula, diapers, and health services, with 25,000 Mainers enrolled. Making cuts to either of these programs would have devastating effects throughout Maine and directly impact the health of some of our most vulnerable populations.

These changes would greatly affect our children. Maine currently has the highest rate of hunger in the Northeast, with Washington County reporting 25.9% of children experiencing food insecurity. As defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), “food insecurity means that households were, at times, unable to acquire adequate food for one or more household members because they had insufficient money and other resources for food.” Nationally, 1 in 4 children are fed by SNAP, according to Feeding America.

Food access should never be treated as a privilege but rather a right. No person should experience hunger or have to choose between a meal or paying a bill. That is why at the Belfast Community Co-op, we are unwavering in our commitment to support local farms and businesses that contribute to our food security here in Maine and partner with food access programs that help make these nutritious foods available to our community. At the Co-op, we are diligently working to keep these programs available to as many people as possible. We hope that you too, will make your voice heard to our representatives so that funding is preserved. 

If you would like to take the next step, you can contact your representatives and ask them to continue funding SNAP and WIC for Maine residents.

• Contact your congressional members
• Contact your state representatives
• Contact Gov. Mills
• Take action with the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) to protect food access

Here’s an example of a letter you can send if you need suggestions:

Subject: Protect SNAP—No Cuts to Essential Food Assistance

Dear [Representative’s Name],

I am writing to urge you to oppose any cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC). SNAP is a lifeline for millions of Americans, including children, seniors, and working families, ensuring they have access to nutritious food. Cutting this program would put vulnerable people at greater risk of food insecurity and economic hardship.

At a time when the cost of living is rising, we should be strengthening—not weakening—our commitment to those in need. I ask you to stand with your constituents and protect SNAP funding in any upcoming legislation.

Please let me know your stance on this critical issue. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address] (if desired)
[Your Email]

The Belfast Community Co-op Board of Directors has issued a statement encouraging all Owners to contact their representatives. Read their statement about funding nutrition programs here.

Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; it is our mission and our pleasure to bring locally-sourced, reasonably priced, organic and natural products to all.

Owned by you. Food for all.