FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Adach, jadach@frac.org, (202) 986-2200 x3018
Inaugural Fighting Hunger Conference Kicks Off in Baltimore
USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon to Deliver Keynote; Former NFL Star Antonio Freeman to be Awarded for Hunger Fighting Efforts
Baltimore, Md. – October 13, 2011 – Hunger can be eliminated in Maryland, and nearly 150 people are gathering in Baltimore for the Inaugural Fighting Hunger conference to discuss solutions and strategies to achieve that goal.
Sponsored by the Maryland Food Access and Nutrition Network (MFANN), the conference will feature a keynote address by Kevin Concannon, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. Other conference highlights include a Governor’s citation presentation to Antonio Freeman, Baltimore native and former wide receiver for the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, in recognition of his commitment to ending childhood hunger and for his substantial contribution to promoting literacy, healthy eating, and active living for children in Maryland.
This conference, the first of its kind in Maryland, is bringing together leaders from across the state to collaborate on efforts to ending hunger. Discussion topics will include reaching underserved populations, such as seniors, rural communities, and Latinos; the impact of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act on federal nutrition programs; and increasing food access in food deserts.
“There is a considerable amount of energy and momentum in Maryland around the goal of ending hunger,” said Cathy Demeroto, director of Maryland Hunger Solutions and chair of MFANN. “Governor Martin O’Malley has made it a goal to end childhood hunger in our state, and leaders from every county in Maryland are rising to meet that challenge. This conference is bringing together people who are committed to that goal and will give them the tools and information they need to help achieve it.”
MFANN is a public/private partnership that includes federal, state and local government agencies as well as community and faith-based organizations. MDHS currently chairs MFANN and has chaired the coalition since 2007. MFANN’s goal is to improve access to healthy, affordable food and to increase participation in the federal nutrition programs.
To learn more about the conference and efforts to end hunger in Maryland, visit Maryland Hunger Solutions’ website.
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Maryland Hunger Solutions is the lead research, public education, and advocacy group in Maryland, dedicated to using public programs to end hunger in Maryland. Maryland Hunger Solutions is an initiative of the Food Research and Action Center. For more information, visit www.mdhunger.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandHungerSolutions or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/marylandhunger.
