Tester meets with representatives from Montana Food Bank Network

Senator discusses importance of efforts to support low-income Montanans

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today met with representatives from the Montana Food Bank Network to discuss the network’s efforts to support low-income Montanans across the state.

The Food Bank Network representatives told Tester that strong support for public nutrition programs, such as the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Summer Food Service program, is vital as more Montanans rely on food banks for assistance.

The Food Bank Network reported approximately one in seven Montanans used food bank services in 2013.

Tester, who recently visited the Billings Food Bank, pledged to continue supporting public nutrition initiatives like the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Summer Food Service program.

“Food banks are doing everything they can to provide food to Montanans in need-but they can’t do it alone,” Tester said, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Public nutrition initiatives assist food banks’ efforts in helping Montanans make ends meet, and I will continue fighting to support our food banks.”

At today’s meeting, the food bank representatives thanked Tester for fighting to protect nutrition assistance programs in the Farm Bill from proposed drastic cuts. Nearly 13 percent of Montanans are enrolled in the initiative, and over half of those Montana households have children.

Joining Tester in his Washington, D.C. office were Montana Food Bank Network CEO Gayle Gifford (left) and Public Policy Manager Lorainne Burhop (right). The Montana Food Bank Network distributes millions of pounds of food across the state every year through a network of over 200 partner agencies in 31 counties.