From Plan to Plate: A Toolkit for Addressing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects many families and can make it harder for people to stay healthy, do well in school, and succeed at work. Every organization has different strengths, and there are multiple ways to help. We developed this toolkit to provide organizations with actionable guidance – drawing on proven models, current research, and cross-sector experience – to help address food insecurity in local communities and at scale.

Why this matters:

• Food insecurity is a serious and ongoing challenge in the United States.
• 14% of U.S. households (about 18.5 million households) experienced food insecurity in 2025, struggling to reliably access enough nutritious food.
• Food insecurity can affect health, learning, household stability, and workforce productivity.
• Addressing food insecurity strengthens families, communities, and the economy.

How the toolkit helps:

• Because every organization is different, the toolkit helps you find the role that fits your strengths and resources.
• Some organizations bring reach and logistics, some bring data and technology, and some are closest to local needs – the toolkit helps clarify where you fit.
• It includes real-world case studies from the business community to show what action can look like in practice and help organizations learn from approaches that are already working.
• It also provides guidance on measuring progress so efforts can improve over time.

Who can use the toolkit:

This toolkit is designed for businesses and local chambers of commerce seeking to make a greater difference in food security.

Toolkit disclaimer: This toolkit is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in the toolkit constitutes legal, policy, regulatory, tax, or financial advice. Organizations and individuals should consult their legal counsel or other qualified professionals for advice specific to their situation.