Fighting Hunger by Connecting Cross-Sector Partners and Centering Lived Expertise

This report offers four recommendations for policymakers to integrate individuals with lived expertise as partners in program and policy design, implementation, and evaluation to more effectively address food insecurity. Opportunities to increase food access include: (1) develop a sustainable community engagement infrastructure that enable states to build meaningful relationships with and incorporate individuals with lived expertise in policy and program design; (2) center equity, humanity, and dignity in policymaking and in service provision to better serve people enrolled in Medicaid and nutrition programs; (3) address persistent eligibility and enrollment challenges through cross-agency partnerships; and (4) use state levers and authorities to advance coordination and innovations.