Partnerships between nonprofits, retailers, producers, government, people with lived experience, and other organizations are important to fighting food insecurity. Hunger is a multifaceted problem, and one group alone or one approach won’t be enough to end hunger in Worcester County or in Massachusetts. Being able to coordinate efforts and collaborate allows a wider variety of groups to contribute their knowledge, resources, and best practices, and that facilitates a broad approach that can address the multiple causes of hunger and reach more people. Building those partnerships is key to fully understanding the community’s needs and developing effective strategies for reducing hunger. Being cognizant of the drivers of food insecurity – such as lack of employment opportunities, transportation challenges, or illness – and working to fully address those issues is critical.