Reintroducing the Food Access & Security Coalition
After a pause, the Benton-Franklin Food Access & Security Coalition is coming back together. The coalition will meet on January 21, 2026, from 9:00 – 10:30 am in the Benton-Franklin Health District Spruce Conference Room. The group’s reconvening comes at a time when many families are struggling with access to healthy food.
The Food Access & Security Coalition started in with a mission to make nutritious food more accessible to everyone in Benton and Franklin County by working together on practical solutions that strengthen local food systems and meet community needs. The coalition raised awareness and achieved some big wins. The coalition supported Kadlec Regional Medical Center in establishing a Food Rx pilot program for youth, helped the Washington State Department of Agriculture gain better insight into emergency food distribution, and partnered with the University of Washington to improve fruit and vegetable access in rural Latino communities through tienda-based interventions.
As the coalition restarts, this next chapter is about reconnecting, reassessing what the community needs most right now, and identifying where collective action is feasible and can make the biggest impact.
Having enough to eat is a basic need and, unfortunately, we know that too many of our community members struggle to get enough for themselves and their families. Food is also an integral part of our social connectedness and cultural identity. Food energizes, nourishes, and connects us. The Food Access & Security Coalition brings together professionals and community members who envision a community where everyone has access to food that supports all aspects of their health and wellbeing.”, says Kelly Harnish, Healthy Living Manager and former FASC facilitator.
At the January meeting, coalition members will meet to reflect on past successes, explore new opportunities, and determine the group’s purpose moving forward. Whether that means launching new initiatives, strengthening existing programs, or simply creating a space for better coordination, the mission remains the same—making nutritious food more accessible to everyone.
If you’re passionate about food access and want to be part of the conversation, you can attend the January meeting. Watch for more updates as the coalition charts its path ahead. contact Sara Bumgardner at [email protected].