The nutrition safety net program is the most effective tool that Tennessee has to reduce hunger and pull families out of poverty. Food insecurity occurs when a household cannot access enough food due to a lack of money, inequality, and other essential resources. Food insecurity is often linked to multiple factors, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. Hunger affects every county in Tennessee, where over 1.1 million people are experiencing food insecurity. 1 in 5 Tennessee children face hunger on a regular basis, according to Feeding America data. Programs like SNAP, WIC, and School Meals reach hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans, but more work is needed to ensure these programs reach more eligible families who are currently missing out on these critical supports.