Agency News | July 2023

Agency Relations Office Hours: 2nd Wednesday Each Month 

We had a successful start to our new Agency Relations Office Hours that we’re hosting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 1–2 p.m. for all of our partner agencies. Topics last month included conversations about meat, funding, and the number of people we’re supporting through our programs. There’s no obligation to stay on for an entire hour. Feel free to pop in and join the conversation. It’s a great way to build connections within our regional food network. We hope to see you on Zoom.

Contact: Agency Relations Coordinator

More Information: Join Office Hours (Zoom)

July Product Sourcing Update

We’re happy to report that during our FY23 (July through May) we’ve receipted 6.8 million pounds of product, which is 16% more than we originally forecast (which means more food for you!). Sources from our national donors are 22% over (271,000 pounds) and product from regional sources are 7% over (217,000 pounds). We continue to be encouraged by what we’re seeing as a return to some normalcy in relation to surplus food within our nation’s supply chain.

We recently learned that USDA will be making a $1 billion investment in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) during FY24 which will be a great benefit to our organizations. In Minnesota, we’re expecting more fresh produce (like grapes, oranges, peaches, plums nectarines, sweet potatoes) and frozen protein (pork loin roasts, catfish fillets, pulled pork) though TEFAP in the months ahead. We should also be seeing a consistent supply of fresh eggs. In Minnesota we’ve also had our legislative dollars increased which will ensure more fresh milk in the year ahead.

Please be assured that we’re doing everything we can to access product for your agencies. Please let us know if you have questions or specific needs.

Contact: Food Resource Developer

Calculating Your Meal Conversion

We’re sometimes asked what “meal conversion” should be used when communicating to your donors. We’ve also seen instances where you utilize our conversion (E.g. $1 = 3 meals) but we want to clarify that our conversion does not equal your conversion. In order to calculate your agency’s meal conversion, you must first know your agency’s cost of operation for food distribution (E.g. $100,000 annual expense). Second, you need to know your agency’s annual food distribution (E.g. 300,000 pounds). Start by dividing your annual expense by your annual food distribution to get your annual cost to distribute one pound of food (E.g. $100,000/300,00 pounds = $.33/LB). Next, using “$1.00” as an example, divide $1.00 by your cost to distribute one pound of food to get your pounds distributed for each dollar donated to your agency ($1.00/$.33 = 3 pounds). Finally, convert your pounds distributed per $1.00 to meals (please feel free to use the standard measure 1 pound/1.25 meals). Using the example above 3 pounds = 2.4 meals. Please note, it’s important to be fully transparent with your donors about your costs to distribute meals and note that your impact might even be higher than ours.

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. This training is brief and simple to complete and also required by our 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. This training was due to be completed June 30. If you have not yet, please complete it as soon as possible.

Complete ASAP: Civil Rights Training

Contact: Program Director

Minnesota TEFAP: Updated Resources

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently updated the Federal Poverty Guidelines and forms used for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Our Minnesota TEFAP partners are now required to begin using these new resources effective July 1, 2023. Please note that DHS does not allow any edits to this form so please plan to use as provided. The new “And Justice for All” posters will be sent out later this summer. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

Learn More: TEFAP Resources

Contact: Agency Relations Coordinator

Our Schedule

Closed:

Closed for inventory Monday, July 31

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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