On April 7, 2025, the Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on the proposed FY26 Operating Budget. Our Acting Co-Executive Director, Elizabeth Teuwen, testified on behalf of the Montgomery County Food Council, voicing support for the food system-related components of the County Executive’s proposal. This testimony reflects our ongoing advocacy to ensure that local policies and funding priorities strengthen a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system in Montgomery County. Read the full testimony below.
Good evening, I am Elizabeth Teuwen, Acting Co-Executive Director of the Montgomery County Food Council. I am here today on behalf of the Food Council and our partners and community members who are committed to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system.
We recognize the difficult decisions County Council faces – in allocating limited resources to meet the growing and diverse needs of our community during this challenging budget season. Many Montgomery County residents are making difficult decisions of their own every day, stretching limited household resources to cover essentials like housing, healthcare, childcare, and food. We know you see this, and we deeply appreciate the County’s ongoing support for those experiencing food insecurity. The Food Council urges you to continue this vital support by fully funding the Office of Food Systems Resilience’s FY26 budget and the network of community organizations that support our residents in need. Specifically, we ask you to consider these three priorities.
First, you will hear (or have heard) directly from our food assistance community about the growing demand for food as more families face increased financial strain and rising living costs. We know that food is often the first expense families reduce when times are tough, and it is critical that the County continues to provide access to healthy and culturally relevant food.
Second, it is crucial that we sustain and strengthen the county’s SNAP outreach organizations. These community-based groups play an essential role in increasing SNAP enrollment, bringing millions of federal dollars into the County’s economy, and helping residents access one of the most effective tools we have to reduce hunger, improve health outcomes, and promote long-term financial stability.
Third, the Food Council and our community of stakeholders recognize that emergency food aid is not a long-term solution. We are committed to partnering with the County, and in particular, the Office of Food Systems Resilience, to create innovative programs that go beyond traditional food distribution. The Farm to Food Bank program, for instance, is a proven, locally driven solution that connects surplus produce from Montgomery County farms to families in need. To build on successes like this, further investment in infrastructure—such as cold storage and aggregation facilities—is essential for strengthening our local food economy, enhancing our emergency preparedness and developing a resilient food supply chain that can quickly respond to crises.
We are all looking for ways to meet growing demand, close gaps in federal assistance, and create long-term solutions. We call on County Council to continue investing in food security, in the initiatives of the Office of Food Systems Resilience, and in the nonprofit network that helps to carry out these critical efforts. We also stress the importance of transparency and openness in the budgetary process, ensuring that all stakeholders—particularly those who serve our most vulnerable residents—have a clear understanding of funding decisions.. Thank you for your time and your continued commitment to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system in Montgomery County.
Published on: Apr 16, 2025