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From: Audrey Metzman
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Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 12:04 PM
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To: Council Testimony
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Subject: Testimony Food Security B31 D3
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Aloha County Council,
I am writing in strong support of Memo 1,
the Mayor's proposed operating budget.
titled 'Food Security', the amendment to Bill 310braft
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I am the Community Food Security Project Coordinator for The Food Basket, Hawai'i Island's Food
Bank. Today I come to you as a highly concerned community member that cares deeply about these issues.
My work has exposed a tragic truth to me. There is a hunger crisis unfolding around us and
however bad you think it is,1 promise that it is much worse.
I have spoken with a countless number of kupuna and mothers who are forced to ration what little food
they have at the end of the month, as their SNAP dollars or other benefits run out. They are making the difficult
decision of whether to buy food for themselves, put gas in their car, or pay their bills. I have spoken with
mothers who feed their children first, and then go without, because they must. The stories are deeply unsettling
and widely experienced by the most vulnerable populations in our community. This is all occurring at a time
when SNAP is facing its largest funding cut in the program's history.
There are many organizations working tirelessly to feed their community out of the kindness of their
hearts. I have personally connected with these folks who are vastly under-resourced, relying on what little
infrastructure and aging volunteer base they have to serve those in need in their community. Investing in food
security means that these organizations have the necessary resources to remain on the frontlines of this
hunger crisis.
As we all know, the state of Hawai'i has the highest cost of living in the nation. This puts many
individuals and families at serious risk of experiencing poverty. According to Census data, Hawai'i County's
poverty rate of 16.5% is well above the national average of 11.1 %. Our geographic isolation makes our food
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system especially vulnerable to disasters and supply chain disruptions. The challenges we face require bold
and decisive action and the solutions must be coupled with funding and policy.
The uncertain future of the federal government's fiscal investment in programs that contribute to food
security means that now is the time to invest in a more resilient food system to prevent a shockwave effect of
disaster -level proportions of hunger. With these funds, Hawaii County can help maintain and expand the
crucial system of food security programs, so that organizations like The Food Basket and their partners can
continue their life saving work.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Audrey Metzman