End Hunger Now

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I have always thought it was odd that doctors could prescribe medications for heart disease and diabetes but couldn't prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables.

For a long time now, community-based organizations have been incredibly successful in using produce prescriptions to reduce hunger and diet-related disease. Recently, the Indian Health Service announced a new $2.5 million grant to make produce prescriptions available to more American Indian and Alaska Native peoples.

In Indian Country, hunger is prominent. About one in four Native people experience food insecurity, compared to one in nine Americans overall.

Last September, the Biden-Harris administration hosted the second- ever White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.

Within the ambitious national strategy that came out of the conference is a special focus on the challenges and opportunities in Indian Country.

That is why I am so excited about programs like the one just announced by the Indian Health Service agency to end hunger among historically underserved communities.

We can and we should end hunger now.

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