HATCH adds Emily Metz to board as it pushes to close protein gap

HATCH has named American Egg Board President and CEO Emily Metz to its Board of Directors, bringing agriculture, food policy and producer-relations experience to the nonprofit as it works to expand access to high-quality protein. The appointment comes as HATCH and partners scale a national effort aimed at permanently closing America’s charitable protein gap.

Why it matters: - HATCH is trying to expand access to protein for families facing hunger. - Emily Metz brings experience in agriculture, food systems and producer partnerships that could help HATCH build stronger supply and policy connections. - The appointment adds leadership as HATCH works with partners to close the nation’s protein gap.

What happened: - HATCH named Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, to its Board of Directors. - The announcement was made Sept. 29, 2026, in Carmel, Indiana. - HATCH said Metz joins the board as the organization works to close the nation’s protein gap.

The details: - Metz has more than 15 years of experience across agriculture, food systems, marketing and strategic communications. - Her background includes work with producer organizations, national checkoff programs, government and industry partnerships. - HATCH CEO Danny Leckie said Metz’s leadership at the intersection of agriculture, policy and the protein industry will help the organization close the protein gap faster and more sustainably. - Metz has been named the 2026 National Agri-Marketing Association Ag Association Leader of the Year. - Metz also received the 2026 Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence and the 2023 Farm Foundation Emerging Leader Award. - HATCH said the appointment deepens its bench of agriculture and protein industry leadership. - HATCH said the goal is to align American agricultural supply and protein education with families who need it most.

Between the lines: - The board appointment signals that HATCH wants more direct ties to the agricultural producer side of the food system. - Metz’s egg-industry background fits HATCH’s effort to source and distribute high-quality protein through hunger relief partners. - HATCH is also positioning the issue as a systems problem, not just a food-access problem, by linking supply, education and distribution.

What's next: - Metz is expected to take part in HATCH’s board work as the nonprofit grows. - HATCH will continue working with hunger relief organizations and protein producers to expand access to nutritious food. - The Coalition to Close the Protein Gap will keep pursuing its $40 million public-private effort to deliver 3 billion protein-rich meals each year.

The bottom line: - HATCH is betting that deep agriculture leadership can help it move more protein to families in need, faster and at larger scale.