Founder George Espinal and Fellow Johnathan in Washington D.C.
By Johnathan M. Community Impact Fellow
Edited by George Espinal, Founder & President
In July, Verde Vida traveled to Washington, D.C., for a two-day policy advocacy mission, meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advance solutions to hunger and food insecurity. More than 47 million Americans, including nearly 14 million children, face food insecurity, a nationwide crisis affecting families and communities from all walks of life.
Before our visit, I contacted more than 45 congressional offices by phone and email, helping secure meetings with the Agricultural Committee members, representatives from the communities we serve, and leaders of the anti-hunger movement. I was grateful for the openness and guidance of staffers and members of Congress for taking the time to work with their schedules to meet with us during a busy period in the legislative session. During the two-day visit, we engaged with more than a dozen congressional offices and had the opportunity to meet with Representatives Jim McGovern, Jerry Nadler, and Tracey Mann, as well as Senators Chuck Schumer and John Boozman.
During these meetings, we shared the impact of Verde Vida’s food-rescue and client-choice distribution model, which provides dignified access to fresh produce while elevating the experiences of families across Northern Manhattan and the Bronx. We also highlighted the importance of ensuring children have consistent access to nutritious food through programs like La Casita and called for greater investment in farmers so that fresh, locally grown produce can reach the communities facing the highest rates of food insecurity.
Caption: Congressman McGovern at a tour of PS 189M and La Casita.
These conversations were great to learn about the various barriers faced by districts across the country when it comes to supporting farmers, transportation infrastructure, and forming local partnerships. Staffers and members of Congress engaged in meaningful dialogue about what a more sustainable and dignified food system can look like in the United States. A system that can address the needs of various food-burden communities and empower them to take ownership of their food choices.
The varied yet parallel experiences of both urban and rural communities highlight the national scope of food insecurity within the United States. Farmers today are facing hard decisions between providing food to families across the United States and providing for and supporting their families. Farm bankruptcies have increased 46% since 2024, with crop losses compounding after years of rising expenses (American Farm Bureau Federation, 2026). In our meetings, it’s evident that farmers are feeling this impact in real time, such as rice farms in Arkansas.
Verde Vida works with farmers in Upstate New York to purchase through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and knows firsthand the impact of having supported farmers on the access of fresh, healthy produce to New York City. Farmers shared that rising fuel costs and higher insurance premiums are among the challenges they face in bringing fresh produce from their farms to communities across the country.
Our meetings made clear that farmers are experiencing these challenges in real time. Rice producers in Arkansas, for example, face mounting financial pressures, including the high cost of transporting goods across the country, that can push family farms toward bankruptcy and threaten the stability of our food supply. As farmers face increasing costs, residential communities are also facing rising grocery prices and rents, which are further exacerbated in rural communities that face more than a 45 -minute drive to their nearest grocery store.
Caption: From left to right – Congressman McGovern (D-MA), President George, Congressman Espaillat (D-NY), Johnathan, Principal Grullon, Vice President Miladis
A highlight of the trip for me was the opportunity to meet Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts. Congressman McGovern is a leader of the anti-hunger movement and Co-Chair of the Hunger Caucus. His curiosity and openness to new innovative ideas regarding nutrition for children, such as our La Casita Program, underscored the receptiveness to bold ideas on the Hill by members of Congress and staffers we held conversations with.
The following week, Congressman McGovern (D-MA) and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) had the chance to see a produce distribution in action, along with touring La Casita at PS 189M.
“I recently had the privilege of seeing Verde Vida’s incredible work in action at their La Casita site and pop-up market at an elementary school in Washington Heights,” said Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA). “Seeing the kids’ excitement over choosing fun – and healthy – snacks and then getting to pick fruits and veggies to take home to their families put a huge smile on my face. Innovative models like Verde Vida’s connect perfectly good but unused produce with those most in need in trusted community spaces within their own neighborhoods.”
I truly valued the opportunity to show both a model that works in addressing hunger and the stories of families and children facing hunger in NYC. Meeting people where they are at, whether it be the families within our local communities or our representatives on Capitol Hill, has been at the core of my time at Verde Vida. Anyone can be facing food insecurity regardless of their housing or employment status. These conversations have been important in creating versatile food systems that respond to a diverse population facing lack of access to healthy produce. The positive reception of the organization’s ideas and work gave both our visitors and me a renewed sense of hope in fighting hunger.
