Join us for Coffee & Conversation, where members engage in interactive, peer-to-peer discussions on timely topics impacting the business community. These conversations play a vital role in shaping programs and policies that drive the region’s economic resilience, workforce development, transportation systems, technological progress, and overall health and wellness.

As federal policy shifts ripple through Greater Washington, new data will reveal how food insecurity is evolving — and what it means for our workforce, talent pipeline, and economic development. 

On October 16th, hear from Radha Muthiah, President & CEO, Capital Area Food Bank, on the newest findings from the 2025 Hunger Report. The report will demonstrate how food insecurity is changing across our region and its implications for families, students, and workers. Together we’ll explore what the data means for workforce readiness, student achievement, and long-term competitiveness — and how the business community can play a role in building a stronger, more equitable economy. 

What to Expect: 

• Key takeaways from the newest data in the 2025 Hunger Report — and what’s shifted since last year.

• Real-world connections between hunger, education, workforce readiness, and economic growth.

• How business leaders can collaborate with nonprofits and policymakers to address root causes and support community resilience. 

Food insecurity is not only a community issue — it is a business issue. Understanding its impact is essential for leaders committed to strengthening our region’s future. 

Why This Conversation Matters to Business Leaders

Across all sectors, food insecurity is no longer just a social issue — it’s an economic signal.
The 2025 Hunger Report reveals both strain and opportunity in our regional workforce system. Business leaders have the reach, resources, and influence to close the gap between potential and participation.

For employers and investors:

• Strengthen talent pipelines by connecting workforce programs to real hiring demand.
• Reduce turnover and vacancy costs by supporting community stability and workforce readiness.
• Position your company as a regional leader in inclusive growth and competitiveness.

For developers and infrastructure leaders:

• Align new investments with workforce accessibility and community vitality.
• Help shape mixed-use, mixed-income, and transportation-linked ecosystems that attract employers and talent alike.

For financial institutions and service providers:

• Expand community investment portfolios through data-backed, scalable initiatives that show measurable ROI.
• Partner with nonprofits and training organizations to finance upskilling and employment pathways.

For healthcare and wellness organizations:

• Address the social determinants of health that drive costs and inequities.
• Support programs that improve both community well-being and workforce reliability.

For technology and professional services firms:

• Bring data, analytics, and innovation capacity to modernize regional workforce systems.
• Help design cross-sector platforms that improve coordination, transparency, and impact measurement.

Bottom line:

This isn’t about need — it’s about strategy, systems, and shared regional economic stability.
The business community has the power to turn insight into action — connecting potential workers to opportunity and building a more resilient Capital Region.

This event is for Board of Trade members only. For more details, please inquire through [email protected]