Southern Belle Restaurateurs Urge Lawmakers to Protect SNAP in 2023 Farm Bill

Photo Credit: No Kid Hungry

Southern Belle co-owners Joey and Emily Ward joined more than a dozen chefs in Washington, DC, earlier this month to meet with lawmakers on behalf of kids facing hunger. Joining forces with No Kid Hungry, a campaign of the national nonprofit Share Our Strength, they leveraged their culinary expertise and central role within their communities to advocate for strong SNAP policy in this year’s Farm Bill legislation.

Millions of children in the U.S. face hunger today, and one in five5 kids receive critical grocery benefits through SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As families face increasing economic hardships—from ongoing inflation to high food costs—SNAP remains one of the most effective ways to feed hungry kids.

Congress has already started negotiations for the 2023 Farm Bill, which will decide funding for SNAP and other food and agriculture programs for the next five years.

“It was an honor for Emily and me to be selected to represent Georgia in Washington. My fellow chefs and I understand the power of food to bring people together and to change lives,” says Joey Ward. “Childhood hunger is a problem that affects all of us. I am proud to be a part of this campaign to assist No Kid Hungry and its mission to ensure every kid has access to healthy food, every day.”

"For more than 30 years, the culinary community has fueled our work to connect those at risk of hunger with the meals they need," says Carey Campbell, associate director of advocacy at Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign. "No Kid Hungry's network of chefs and culinary professionals are passionate advocates for kids, and we're so grateful for their support in championing smart SNAP policy in this year's Farm Bill."

Photo Credit: Rebecca Drobis