Malia Cary: Why I’m Attending Food ACCESS 2024

Hi! My name is Malia Cary, and I’m the Government & Public Affairs Manager at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. I also currently have the privilege of serving on this year’s conference planning committee.

Food ACCESS 2024 is almost here! Will I see you in Sacramento on May 16-17? 

The Food ACCESS Conference is a great way for food bankers and other anti-hunger advocates to come together to share, learn, and generally connect with one another. It’s important to collaborate and lift up the important work we are doing together to end hunger in California! 

I’m especially looking forward to connecting with my peers in the advocacy and policy space at the conference. Food banks play a critical role in addressing food insecurity, but we can’t do it alone. CAFB members and coalition partners engage in year-round advocacy work by raising awareness of hunger issues and mobilizing support at every level of government for policy solutions that address public nutrition and anti-poverty programs. I truly believe that we can’t achieve a hunger-free California without advocating for change in the systems and structures that created the hunger crisis in the first place.

The Food ACCESS Conference is shaping up to have a fantastic agenda this year, including several great workshops in the Advocacy & Research track. I hope to see you there!