Global agricultural development has a tremendous role to play in both the economic success of lower and middle income countries, but also the prosperity of the world. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been at the heart of building up and supporting agricultural livelihoods and communities for decades, and its experiences and history provide valuable insights into the current moment we find ourselves. Host Minerva Delgado speaks with Katherine Meighan of IFAD to discuss the work of the organization, how global agricultural development supports broader priorities of people and governments, and how the business of agriculture in developing markets fits into wider global food security efforts.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest: Katherine Meighan, Chief Legal and Governance Officer, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Learn more about IFAD by visiting their website at www.ifad.org.

U.S. agriculture and global food security have built a crucial relationship in American efforts to end hunger and malnutrition around the world. Not only is this relationship essential for critical programs, but it reflects the genuine values and determination of farmers themselves to provide enough food for everyone. This is no more clear than through the work of Growing Hope Globally, which mobilizes farmers and rural communities to partner with and contribute to a worldwide movement of agricultural development and food security. Host Minerva Delgado speaks to Kaitlyn Slate, President and CEO of Growing Hope Globally, about the value of cultivating these cross-border relationships in the agriculture community, and lessons that can be learned for the broader anti-hunger movement.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest: Kaitlyn Slate, President & CEO, Growing Hope Globally

Learn more about Growing Hope Globally, their impact, success stories, and how to get involved at https://www.growinghopeglobally.org

The month of February marks the celebration of Black History Month, through which we honor and commemorate the leaders and contributions of our Black communities and neighbors across the country. While voting rights and fair treatment are rightfully emphasized, there is a lesser-talked about component of civil rights: food justice. On this episode of Voices to End Hunger, Minerva Delgado speaks to Tambra Stevenson, Founder and CEO of Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture, or WANDA. Tambra brings a unique and insightful perspective of the key role that food, nutrition, meals, culture, and culinary history have and are playing in the struggle for justice across the country in both historical and modern practice. She also describes the work that WANDA is doing, and how everyday people can participate in building up a community and culture of justice around kitchen tables and beyond.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest: Tambra Raye Stevenson, Founder/CEO, WANDA: Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics and Agriculture

Learn more about Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture (WANDA). Visit www.iamwanda.org.

2026 is already shaping up to be a consequential year for both domestic and global food and nutrition security. Globally, famine is threatening millions of people, especially in hotspots such as the Horn of Africa and Sudan. Further, conflict, climate, and continuing political and economic uncertainty are driving hunger and malnutrition in many regions and countries. In the United States SNAP continues to be in the spotlight, and those who rely on food assistance through federal nutrition programs find themselves, their families, and their lives under the microscope. Finally, midterm elections are just around the corner this November, offering a potential inflection point for how the U.S. government approaches food security issues. On this episode, Minerva Delgada speaks with Alliance to End Hunger president Eric Mitchell. They discuss the current state of hunger, food security policy, and what we should expect in the coming year.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest: Eric Mitchell, President, Alliance to End Hunger

2025 posed unprecedented challenges to U.S. global and domestic food and nutrition security programs; with stress and uncertainty added to the lives of millions of people and families in the United States and around the globe who rely on assistance programs. These challenges mark the latest in a shift in the political landscape around food, nutrition, and development programs. Rev. David Beckmann, President Emeritus of the Alliance to End Hunger and Bread for the World, has observed the evolution of America’s understanding of and relationship to food security programming throughout his career. Host Minerva Delgado speaks to Rev. Beckmann about his observations and insights into the unique and challenging time we find ourselves, and how advocacy can play a key role in making hunger and poverty a priority once again. They also talk about his upcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, and strategies we can take to make progress against poverty and hunger.

Note to Listeners:

David Beckman's upcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, is available for pre-order through the following links:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/ctfLrvF

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poverty-abolitionists-david-beckmann/1148352847?ean=9798216275893

The United States government just reopened after its record-breaking 43-day shutdown. During this time, federal nutrition programs found themselves in the crosshairs of debates over funding and a larger political battle. Caught in the middle were the tens of millions of individuals and families who depend on food assistance. Food bank demand soared, with many struggling to keep up with need. On this episode of Voices to End Hunger, host Minerva Delgado speaks with two food bank leaders serving a wide spectrum of populations – Rhonda Chafin of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, and Craig Rice of Manna Food Center, which serves communities in Maryland right outside of Washington, DC. Together they share their observations about their operations during the shutdown, lingering effects heading into the holiday season, and what lessons may be learned by those dedicated to building a food security future moving forward.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest(s):

• Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee
• Craig Rice, CEO, Manna Food Center

Learn More:

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee: https://netfoodbank.org/
• Manna Food Center: https://www.mannafood.org/

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the federal government would cease providing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – known as SNAP – starting November 1, in response to the ongoing government shutdown. This announcement was met with both moral and legal pushback on the Hill and from beneficiaries and advocates across the country. On this special episode of Voices to End Hunger, Minerva Delgado speaks with David Super, the Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Economics at Georgetown University Law Center. He explains what is going on with SNAP, how we got here, and what beneficiaries and broader communities should expect in the coming days.

Read more by David Super

David Super: The Administration’s Shutdown of SNAP is Obviously Illegal (https://balkin.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-administrations-shutdown-of-snap-is.html)

The school year is in full swing across the country, and approximately 30 million school-aged children are lining up in cafeterias each day to eat a school-provided lunch. These meals are nutritious – offering a balance of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free milk, whole grains and lean protein. However, not all students have equal access to school meals or the interest in eating them. On this episode, Minerva speaks with Abbie Watts, Director of School Food Advocacy at Community Food Advocates (CFA) in New York City. They discuss CFA’s solutions to both issues of school meals access and appeal in New York. They also discuss NY’s journey to “Universal School Meals,” NYC’s innovative cafeteria redesign program, and what lessons the rest of the country can take away from New York’s experience.

Note to listeners: Minerva Delgado serves as the president of the Board of Directors for Community Food Advocates.

Host: Minerva Delgado, Alliance to End Hunger

Guest(s): Abbie Watts, Director of School Food Advocacy, Community Food Advocates

Helpful Links

Community Food Advocates: https://www.foodadvocates.org/

Learn about the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP): https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/cep