Advocate2025-10-22T14:56:42-07:00

Join the Fight Against Hunger

At Flagstaff Family Food Center, we understand that food boxes alone won’t end food insecurity. That’s why we’re committed to working hand in hand with our neighbors, our community, and local, state, and federal leaders to build a food-secure Northern Arizona—together.

Speak Up

Sign up for free advocacy alerts through Slack today!

Sign Up

FFFC staff speaking at capital for television coverage

Learn

Expand your understanding about hunger in northern Arizona.

Learn More

Connect

Check out additional resources in the state.

Join the FightAdvocate for AZ

inside capital building

Policy Priorities

At the Flagstaff Family Food Center, we advocate for policies that strengthen food security, invest in local food systems, and protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Here’s where we stand:

City of Flagstaff2025-09-26T14:16:22-07:00
  • City of Flagstaff Budget – Food insecurity funding included, reflecting the city’s commitment to anti-hunger initiatives.
  • Hunger Action Month – September officially declared as Hunger Action Month, aligning the City with community-wide efforts to fight hunger.
  • Food Action Plan – Calls for targeted investments and declarations to advance anti-hunger efforts and support ongoing food security efforts in the city.
  • Zoning Code Amendment: SUPPORT – Updates to the city zoning code that allow and encourage urban agriculture.
  • Pushing for community food security in Flagstaff We are working alongside the City of Flagstaff’s sustainability office to build the city’s Food Action Plan. Sign up to our Advocacy Channel for alerts on public comment, action items, or ways to get involved!
  • Building community knowledge & action through the Northern Arizona Hunger Action Partnership – A coalition of community members and organizations committed to creating a food secure Northern Arizona.
Coconino County2025-09-26T14:15:30-07:00
  • Coconino County Budget – Food insecurity funding included, reflecting the county’s commitment to anti-hunger initiatives.
Arizona State Policy2026-02-03T10:38:23-07:00

SNAP LEGISLATION

  • HB 2224: SUPPORT HB 2224 establishes an ongoing fund for the Double Up Food Bucks program, expanding SNAP recipients’ access to nutrient-dense foods while supporting Arizona’s local food economy. Food Center clients have identified diversified food access as a top priority for multiple years in a row, and Double Up Food Bucks has a strong track record of meeting this need.
  • HB 2579: SUPPORT– A child’s ability to eat should never determine their opportunity to succeed – yet we know it often does. Children are among the largest populations served by FFFC, and northern Arizona experiences higher rates of childhood food insecurity than both state and national averages.  HB 2579 ensures that every child in Arizona who needs a meal receives one, at no cost, representing a straightforward, evidence-based investment in children, families, and educational outcomes.
  • HB 2683: SUPPORT– The November 2025 government shutdown underscored a clear truth: access to food should never be used as leverage. HB 2683 creates an Emergency Food Assistance Fund in Arizona, allowing the legislature to ensure continuity of food support during future government shutdowns or disruptions.
  • HB 2396: NEUTRAL – Health disparities across northern Arizona are severe, and limited rural food access further exacerbates these challenges. While HB 2396 aims to improve health outcomes, aspects of the bill raise concerns. A statutory list of “eligible items” could enable future restrictions to SNAP by policymakers seeking to weaken or dismantle the program. Additionally, the bill must clearly define “candy” to ensure consistent implementation by DES and retailers, and to prevent unintended restrictions on non-candy food items. If amended to better reflect the realities and needs of northern Arizona, FFFC would support lawmakers’ efforts to improve community health, particularly for households experiencing food insecurity. In alignment with this commitment, FFFC has pledged to significantly reduce the distribution of sugar-sweetened beverages by 2030.
  • HB 2442: OPPOSE – While employment is an important factor in reducing food insecurity, HB 2442 does not effectively address existing barriers. Arizona already operates a SNAP Employment & Training program, and its challenges are not rooted in participation requirements. Instead, improvements should focus on:
    • Streamlining and updating requirements for organizations to participate as providers.
    • Clearly communicating program availability and benefits during the DES interview process.
    • Ensuring adequate and transparent funding so that sufficient vendors can participate statewide.
  • HB2797: OPPOSE – FFFC supports modernizing public assistance systems, including SNAP, but HB 2797 does not adequately address the challenges faced by DES or participants. A truly effective solution must:
    • Include dedicated funding to enable DES to procure and maintain accurate, efficient, and modern software systems.
    • Eliminate unnecessary burdens on individuals to prove non-employment through work record verification.
    • Clearly outline safeguards and procedures when systems fail, rather than placing the burden on applicants.

HOUSING LEGISLATION

  • HB 2533: SUPPORT – Client-centered and collaborative approaches are foundational to FFFC’s Client Advocacy work. HB 2533 elevates lived experience in policymaking and fosters cross-sector collaboration, aligning closely with these core principles.
  • HB 2620: SUPPORT – Older adults and veterans face heightened risks of homelessness. HB 2620 allocates $300,000 to emergency shelters providing targeted services for these populations, strengthening community efforts to support some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

ANTI-POVERTY LEGISLATION

  • HB 2560: SUPPORT– TANF is the only federally funded cash assistance program that offers temporary cash assistance and other support services to low-income families with children. HB 2560 extends eligibility for cash assistance to 60 months and removes unnecessary barriers, ensuring families can access critical financial support during periods of need.

RURAL SUPPORT LEGISLATION

  • HB 2668: SUPPORT – Access to reliable technology remains a significant equity issue across rural Arizona, limiting access to services and remote employment opportunities. HB 2668 invests $5 million to expand and improve broadband infrastructure in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents, enhancing opportunities and accessibility to our rural communities.
  • HB 2893: SUPPORT – Transportation barriers are one of the key food access issues facing our tribal neighbors. HB 2893 provides much-needed support to transportation improvements & enhancements across the Navajo Nation, increasing access to food, employment, and essential services.
  • HB 2888: SUPPORT – Water, like food, is a fundamental human right. HB 2888 creates a dedicated subcategory within the Arizona Water Conservation Grant Fund to expand tribal access to safe drinking water—advancing both food and water equity for tribal communities.
Federal Policy2025-09-26T14:11:41-07:00
  • HR 4782: SUPPORTLocal Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act. Directs federal policy dollars to local farmers, strengthening partnerships with schools and food banks—an investment in both farms and families.
  • HR 1: OPPOSEOne Big Beautiful Bill Act. Drastically cuts SNAP, healthcare, and SNAP-Ed, triggering unprecedented demand on food banks. A harmful redistribution of resources away from rural and working families.
HAP gathering

Hunger Action Partnership

Flagstaff Family Food Center is a founding member of the Northern Arizona Hunger Action Partnership, a coalition of community members and organizations committed to creating a food secure Northern Arizona. To learn more about the coalition, visit our website by clicking the button below. To get involved, sign up for our newsletter by clicking Get Updates.

HAP gathering

Hunger Action Partnership

Flagstaff Family Food Center is a member of the Northern Arizona Hunger Action Partnership, a coalition of community members and organizations committed to creating a food secure Northern Arizona. To get involved and learn how you can participate, sign up for our newsletter by clicking the Get Updates button below.

Communications & Initiatives

  • Fewer Resources, More Hunger: Why This Moment Matters

    At the Flagstaff Family Food Center, we've been discussing the possible impact of federal budget cuts since January.

May 31, 2025

Advocacy in Coconino County

Arizona Daily Sun shares, “Coconino Voices: What federal food benefit budget cuts mean to our neighbors”

Advocacy in Coconino County report
Advocacy in Coconino County report

May 31, 2025

Advocacy in Coconino County

Arizona Daily Sun shares, “Coconino Voices: What federal food benefit budget cuts mean to our neighbors”

Learn more about our commitment to your community.

Expand Your Knowledge

Join the fight against hunger!

Sign Up to Vounteer

Join Our Newsletter

Stay up to date on upcoming events, activities, and ways to get involved!

Go to Top