History

The Oregon Hunger Task Force (originally called The Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force) was created by the State Legislature in 1989 (ORS 458.532) to act as a resource within government and as a statewide advocate for Oregonians who are hungry or at risk of hunger. The Task Force works collaboratively with stakeholders throughout Oregon to promote community awareness, compile research, develop proposals for government action, and conduct outreach to expand participation in federal nutrition programs.

When the Task Force was created, Oregon ranked high for hunger among states, and the legislature declared that

“All persons have the right to be free from hunger.”

The 28-seat Task Force was directed to act as a resource within government and as a statewide advocate for Oregonians who are hungry or at risk of hunger. The Task Force carries out this mandate by researching the problem of hunger, making recommendations, and coordinating with decision-makers to implement changes.

Gallery Hunger

In 2004, the Task Force gathered input from Oregonians across the state to develop its first five-year plan to address the root causes of hunger. The Act to End Hunger proved to be a critical organizing tool for anti-hunger advocates across the state. The urgency of the problem, and the opportunity for progress directed the members of the Oregon Hunger Task Force to launch a private non-profit organization whose staff would directly advocate for and help implement the recommendations of the Act to End Hunger.

Highlights from the 2010-2015 Ending Hunger Before It Begins: Oregon’s Call to Action can be found here. The current 2019-2022 plan can be found here.

Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon

Together with the Oregon Hunger Task Force, the linked non-profit Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon works to end hunger by addressing root causes. The two entities’ common goal is to build families’ economic stability and food security through systemic policy change so that all Oregonians have sufficient means and ready access to healthy and culturally appropriate food.

In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature passed HB 2834, amending the membership of the Task Force for the first time since 1989. This amendment expanded the membership to include the following representation:

Culturally specific organization
Mutual aid or emergency disaster response
Nine members who represent residents of this state who suffer the highest rates of hunger or who currently lack opportunities for food security because of discrimination based on race or ethnicity or inadequate financial resources.

Oregon Hunger Task Force

OHTF

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