Agency News | June 2023

June Product Sourcing Update 

We’re happy to report that during our FY23 (July 1 through today) we’ve receipted 6.3 million pounds of product, which is 19% more than we originally forecast. Sources from our national donors are 25% over (255,000 pounds) and product from regional sources are 11% over (288,000 pounds). We’re encouraged by what we’re seeing as a return to some normalcy in relation to surplus food within our nation’s supply chain.  

Our USDA product has and will be continuing to show a decline. Over the last year, an abundance of free food has been available and provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for our Minnesota and Wisconsin partners. However, these funds and food will be depleted by the end of June and as such there may not be as many products available for free on Agency Express heading into FY24 (July 1). 

If you’re interested in learning more about our food sources or are interested in joining or optimizing our Fresh Connect Program (connecting you to local, direct food sources), please reach out to our Food Resource Developer, Tim Noake to discuss opportunities.

Contact: Food Resource Developer

Training Opportunity: Civil Rights for All Agencies

As part of our goal to provide dignified and respectful service to all our neighbors experiencing food insecurity, all of our Partner Agencies are required to complete an annual Civil Rights training by June 30 of each year. This training is brief and simple to complete and also required by our own staff and volunteers. Once the training has occurred simply complete our three test questions and have one Primary Contact affirm that all agency staff and volunteers have been trained by signing our “Acknowledgement Page–Primary Contact” form, then return it to our food bank. Thank you in advance for completing this important all-agency training.  

Complete by June 30: Civil Rights Training

Contact: Program Director

June is National Dairy Month: Milk Update

Each year we provide access to more than 760,000 pounds of dairy product to you—that’s almost 10,000 daily servings each week! What’s more, nutrient-rich dairy products make up 14% of the food we distribute. Part of this product comes from our Milk Program, made possible with funds from the Minnesota State Legislature. This program has expended its FY23 funding but will return in the new fiscal year, sometime after July 1. In the meantime, milk will remain available through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and other multi-state opportunities.

Agency Relations Office Hours: 2nd Wednesday Each Month

Have a question about Agency Express? Or are you wondering how to report statistics accurately? Our Agency Relations Team at Second Harvest will be hosting office hours every month. Office hours are an opportunity for you to ask questions, share ideas and 

network with other partner agencies. Office hours will be held via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00–2:00 p.m.  

Upcoming Office Hours: June 14, July 12, August 9

Contact: Agency Relations Coordinator

More information: Join Office Hours (Zoom)

Our Schedule

Closed:

Closed in observance of Juneteenth, Monday, June 19 

Closed for inventory Friday, June 30 

Standing Milk/Egg Order Pick-Ups: Thursdays, 12:30–1:30 p.m.

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is the Northland's largest hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to feed the hungry of NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization recognized by the IRS, contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

© 2023 Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, all rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are an important part of our hunger-relief work.

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