Thanks to the dedication of our public policy and advocacy coalition partners, and community members like you, the 2025 legislative session came with numerous wins for our anti-hunger priorities. We’ve made meaningful progress in funding legislation that addresses food insecurity and root causes of hunger.
Fully Funded Legislation:
ASK: Invest $93.25M in Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)’s food assistance programs to support food banks in every community.
- OUTCOME: $93.25M invested to extend funding for food banks and food pantries.
ASK: Provide $11.83M to Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to manage SUN Bucks in partnership with Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
- OUTCOME: $11.83M to continue funding for SUN Bucks to address childhood summer program.
Partially Funded Legislation:
ASK: Invest $35.4M to fully fund current caseload of Department of Social and Health Services nutrition programs that serve low-income seniors.
- OUTCOME: $27.96M to fund Senior Nutrition Programs
ASK: Invest $6M to fight hunger and help low-income families afford more healthy, fresh produce.
- OUTCOME: $2.954M to maintain current funding levels for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)’s Fruit & Vegetable Incentives
Root Cause Wins:
Rent Stability For Washington Families and Individuals
On May 7, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill into law capping rent increases at 10% or less. This landmark legislation, House Bill 1217, aims to stabilize housing costs for Washington families.
Food security is tied to housing security, but historically, Washington’s laws haven’t protected tenants from excessive rent increases, predatory fees, or adequate notice about rent hikes. Excessive rent increases increase evictions and houselessness, especially for seniors and people of color.
We celebrate this historic partner agenda win! Click here for news coverage of the rent stabilization bill signing that passed this session.
Free School Meals for All Kids:
One of our key priorities during this session was supporting the passage of a bill that would have provided free school meals for all children in Washington. The bill was introduced this year, but did not advance in the legislative process.
About 70% of students in the state’s public schools now have access to free meals. Reaching 100% would cost about $120M a fiscal year. With the state having faced a budget shortfall in the ballpark of $12B over the next four years and lawmakers contemplating other big-ticket education legislation, a bill to carry out the meals expansion proved to be too heavy of a lift. We’ll be back next year to advocate for its passage.