2025 posed unprecedented challenges to U.S. global and domestic food and nutrition security programs; with stress and uncertainty added to the lives of millions of people and families in the United States and around the globe who rely on assistance programs. These challenges mark the latest in a shift in the political landscape around food, nutrition, and development programs. Rev. David Beckmann, President Emeritus of the Alliance to End Hunger and Bread for the World, has observed the evolution of America’s understanding of and relationship to food security programming throughout his career. Host Minerva Delgado speaks to Rev. Beckmann about his observations and insights into the unique and challenging time we find ourselves, and how advocacy can play a key role in making hunger and poverty a priority once again. They also talk about his upcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, and strategies we can take to make progress against poverty and hunger.

Note to Listeners:

David Beckman's upcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, is available for pre-order through the following links:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/ctfLrvF

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poverty-abolitionists-david-beckmann/1148352847?ean=9798216275893

The United States government just reopened after its record-breaking 43-day shutdown. During this time, federal nutrition programs found themselves in the crosshairs of debates over funding and a larger political battle. Caught in the middle were the tens of millions of individuals and families who depend on food assistance. Food bank demand soared, with many struggling to keep up with need. On this episode of Voices to End Hunger, host Minerva Delgado speaks with two food bank leaders serving a wide spectrum of populations – Rhonda Chafin of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, and Craig Rice of Manna Food Center, which serves communities in Maryland right outside of Washington, DC. Together they share their observations about their operations during the shutdown, lingering effects heading into the holiday season, and what lessons may be learned by those dedicated to building a food secure future moving forward.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest(s):

• Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
• Craig Rice, CEO, Manna Food Center

Learn More:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee: https://netfoodbank.org/
• Manna Food Center: https://www.mannafood.org/

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the federal government would cease providing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – known as SNAP – starting November 1, in response to the ongoing government shutdown. This announcement was met with both moral and legal pushback on the Hill and from beneficiaries and advocates across the country. On this special episode of Voices to End Hunger, Minerva Delgado speaks with David Super, the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Economics at Georgetown University Law Center. He explains what is going on with SNAP, how we got here, and what beneficiaries and broader communities should expect in the coming days.

Read more by David Super

David Super: The Administration’s Shutdown of SNAP is Obviously Illegal (https://balkin.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-administrations-shutdown-of-snap-is.html)