WASHINGTON - Several local advocates in the fight against hunger are in Washington, D.C. for the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health.

Rep. Jim McGovern invited leaders from the Worcester Food Hub, Worcester County Food Bank and Worcester Regional Environmental Council to the event.

Food Hub Director Shon Rainford said he plans to use the lessons he learns as soon as he's back in Worcester.

"We’ll take a look at the pillars the White House put out to end hunger and see how we can integrate the work we do of working with institutions like school systems and colleges and hospitals and different food pantries,” Rainford said. “The markets that are targeting people of lower income that are receiving SNAP benefits, see how we can deepen our ties, deepen our work and make more of an impact in this area."

The last White House Conference on Hunger was more than 50 years ago, during the presidency of Richard Nixon.