Willy Ritch has resigned as spokesman for Rep. Chellie Pingree and will serve as campaign manager for Food Policy Action in Portland.

Ritch, who started working on Pingree’s campaign in January 2008, said he will be running a campaign to change the way people look at hunger in America. He said the organization already has a huge commitment of donated advertising time from most of the major media outlets in America to get its message out.

“It was not an easy choice to make. I thought it was just a very exciting opportunity,” Ritch said Thursday night. “I think I’d say, what happens to people in our society who are struggling to get by is really important. It goes to the core of why I am a progressive or Democrat.”

Food Policy Action is a national organization that was established in 2012 with the mission of highlighting the importance of food policy and promoting policies that support healthy diets, reduce hunger at home, and which improve food access and affordiability.

Ritch worked as radio disc jockey before joining Pingree’s staff.

“For the past eight years, Willy has been a key part of my staff and a good friend and we will miss him,” Pingree said in a statement. “But he is taking on a big challenge and a great cause.”