SB 5485: Collecting data on hunger in Washington state

The legislature recognizes that hunger and food insecurity affect a significant number of families and single adults in Washington. The legislature recognizes that data on the extent of food insecurity and the reach of key nutrition programs is currently inadequate and will be improved through use of existing survey platforms and data collection by key state agencies. SB 5485 establishes that it is the responsibility of the department of health to conduct research on food insecurity in Washington. Beginning in 2018 and every even-numbered year thereafter, the department shall add the United States department of agriculture two-question food insecurity screen to the behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey.