Utah Mayors Join Alliance to End Childhood Hunger

Seven Utah mayors have committed to a national coalition to increase access to nutrition programs and support families facing food insecurity.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Seven Utah mayors have joined the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, a growing national movement to address childhood hunger. The participating mayors represent cities like Millcreek, Bluffdale, Layton, Clearfield, Orem, Salt Lake City, and Salt Lake County. The alliance aims to increase access to vital nutrition programs and support families struggling with food insecurity, recognizing that addressing childhood hunger requires a comprehensive approach beyond just emergency food assistance.

Why it matters

Childhood hunger is a significant challenge in the United States, with 14 million children experiencing food insecurity. The Mayors Alliance provides a platform for local leaders to collaborate on innovative solutions, advocate for policies that support children and families, and work to create a future where all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The details

The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, launched in 2022, operates on the principle that local leaders are uniquely positioned to identify and implement effective solutions. The alliance harnesses the collective influence of mayors to advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of childhood hunger, including partnering with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign to boost participation in federal nutrition programs, strengthen community partnerships, and raise awareness about the systemic factors contributing to food insecurity.

  • The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger was launched in 2022.
  • The seven Utah mayors joined the alliance in 2026.

The players

Cheri Jackson

The mayor of Millcreek, Utah, who emphasized the moral imperative to ensure children have consistent access to healthy meals.

Natalie Hall

The mayor of Bluffdale, Utah, who is expected to pursue initiatives to address childhood hunger within her community.

Joy Petro

The mayor of Layton, Utah, who is expected to pursue initiatives to address childhood hunger within her community.

Erin Mendenhall

The mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, who is expected to pursue initiatives to address childhood hunger within her community.

Jenny Wilson

The mayor of Salt Lake County, Utah, who is expected to pursue initiatives to address childhood hunger within her community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Ensuring that every child in Millcreek has access to healthy, reliable meals is not a partisan issue — it's a moral responsibility. When children are hungry, they struggle to learn, grow and thrive.”

— Cheri Jackson, Mayor of Millcreek (newsdirectory3.com)

“Mayors have witnessed firsthand the hardship their constituents are facing, and their cities are on the frontlines of responding to the short and long-term impacts of hunger in their communities. We have seen mayors address child hunger in a variety of creative ways, from advocating for and strengthening nutrition programs, to creating innovative public-private partnerships and growing awareness of the systemic connections between poverty, racism and hunger.”

— Aaron Goldstein, Senior Manager of Local Government Relations at Share Our Strength (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The participating Utah mayors are expected to pursue initiatives within their respective communities to increase support for families, expand access to nutrition programs, and forge partnerships to create opportunities for all children.

The takeaway

The commitment from the seven Utah mayors signals a growing recognition of the importance of addressing childhood hunger within the state. The Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger provides a platform for these leaders to share best practices, collaborate on innovative solutions, and advocate for policies that support children and families, representing a significant step towards creating a future where all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential, free from the constraints of hunger.