About
Hunger Free Washington brings together partners across Washington to align programs, shape policy, and strengthen systems so families can access food with dignity.
Together, we can end hunger in Washington State.
Hunger Free Washington is a coordinated, statewide effort working to ensure that every person in Washington has access to the food they need to thrive.
We center the leadership and lived experiences of community members most impacted by hunger, and work alongside partners to strengthen food access programs, advance equitable policies, and build a more resilient food system.
Hunger is solvable, but it requires alignment across communities, programs, and public policy. Hunger Free Washington exists to connect the dots across regions and organizations, so that families can more easily access food and communities can drive lasting change.
Our approach:
Ending hunger requires strong programs, smart policies, and shared power across communities. Hunger Free Washington advances statewide solutions through three interconnected strategies:
Strengthening Programs
Food assistance should be accessible, coordinated, and responsive to community needs. We work to strengthen and better align programs such as SNAP, school meals, and summer nutrition programs.
We identify statewide barriers, support cross-program coordination, and provide guidance during major transitions, to ensure families have seamless, straightforward access to the food they need.
Shaping Policy
Public policy plays a critical role in whether families can access the food they need. Hunger Free Washington works with partners across Washington to align priorities, advance policies that protect and strengthen nutrition programs, and coordinate engagement with state agencies and legislators.
We work to ensure policy decisions are grounded in community insight and lived experience, reflecting the needs of people across our state.
Powering Change
Lasting progress requires coordination and momentum. Hunger Free Washington connects partners across regions and sectors to move from isolated efforts to shared action.
We surface statewide trends, respond quickly to emerging challenges, and equip partners with the information and tools they need to act. By combining data, lived experience, and coordinated strategy, we help turn urgency into impact.
Leadership and coordination:
Hunger Free Washington is convened and coordinated by United Way of King County. United Way provides strategic leadership and backbone support for this work.
Hunger Free Washington is shaped in partnership with communities and organizations across Washington State and is grounded in the lived experiences of people directly impacted by hunger.
