Uniting the East Bay Against Hunger
In a recent installment of the Capstone Conversation, host Jared Asch delved into the pressing issue of food security in the Greater East Bay. Joined by Haley Solares from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties and Janette Kennedy from Loaves and Fishes, the discussion focused on feeding our communities and tackling food insecurity through collaboration.
To listen to the full podcast episode www.capstonegov.com/podcast
### Understanding the Landscape
Haley Solares, Advocacy and Policy Manager, highlighted the Food Bank's role in advocating for crucial social safety net programs. With 260 distribution sites, the Food Bank assists approximately 390,000 clients monthly, a significant increase from pre-COVID times. Their efforts include CalFresh outreach, ensuring individuals can access food benefits effectively.
Janette Kennedy, Executive Director of Development and External Relations for Loaves and Fishes, explained their mission to provide nutritious meals. With five dining rooms across the county and a mobile resource center, Loaves and Fishes serve upwards of 4,000 meals daily, a marked rise due to inflation and increased food insecurity.
### Navigating Community Needs
Both organizations strive to close gaps in service. Haley mentioned the use of a heat map to identify areas lacking food distribution, tailored by demographics and cultural food preferences. Janette described the collaborative efforts of multiple organizations like St. Vincent de Paul and White Pony Express to avoid service overlaps and maximize community impact.
### Sourcing and Sustainability
The conversation turned to the origins of the food supply. A considerable portion of the Food Bank's offerings is purchased, with 97 cents of every donated dollar going toward food distribution. They also receive federal assistance and donations from community food drives. Janette expanded on their collaborations with local grocers and farms to procure fresh ingredients critical for their meals, maintaining nutritious offerings with minimal expenditure.
### Advocacy and Legislative Challenges
Haley discussed the importance of the Farm Bill, which significantly impacts food bank funding and nutrition programs. Proposed cuts to programs like SNAP (CalFresh in California) could lead to increased demand for local food banks. Advocating for a supportive Farm Bill is crucial to maintaining these vital services.
Efforts to improve CalFresh benefits include advocating at the state level for higher minimum allotments, essential for reflecting California’s high cost of living. The conversation also highlighted issues around federal and local policy inconsistencies that impact the effectiveness of these programs.
### Local Government Collaboration
The discussion emphasized the essential role of county-level involvement and Measure X funding. Listening sessions aim to gather community feedback and improve the efficiency of CalFresh benefits. Janette encouraged public engagement at Board of Supervisor meetings to ensure community voices shape local food security efforts.
### Forward Looking Initiatives
Loaves and Fishes are preparing for a capital campaign to expand their central kitchen, which is necessary for meeting growing demands and potential partnerships. Concurrently, their culinary arts training program empowers participants with skills for the hospitality industry, offering transformational opportunities.
### Conclusion
With both Haley and Janette's organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries, acknowledgement was given to the impactful partnership efforts that thrive through community support. Both organizations extended invitations to their upcoming gala events, which is crucial for garnering further financial backing.
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