Angela Dominguez: Why I’m Attending Food ACCESS 2024

Hi– I am Angela Marie Dominguez, and I am so excited to be part of such a great group of leaders and life changers! I’m the Government & Public Affairs Manager at the Mendocino Food & Nutrition Program. We are currently based on the coast while moving our main operations more centrally to Willits in Mendocino to better serve our community. I am so excited to attend the CAFB Food ACCESS Conference 2024 at our state’s capital, Sacramento, on May 16 – 17, and I hope to catch up with as many of you as possible!

This year, I had the pleasure of being part of the robust roster of talented, intelligent, and justice-led AND seeking individuals. I had the opportunity to learn from each of these members of our conference planning committee, and I am so fortunate to have had the experience. Thank you all!! =] <3

In 2024, we have all been under a different type of pressure that my fellow food bankers can agree is a challenge unlike any other, one that we are all experiencing collectively: skyrocketing food prices. Our client count has risen just as high as our food bills, and there is no end in sight. We are hoping that there will be solutions for many of the challenges we seek to resolve for our clients and our organizations far and wide that will come together this May for the Conferencia sobre acceso a alimentos. Food prices are definitely not the only obstacle we are facing, as there are many other pressing issues before us. I believe coming together and sharing our stories and experiences can help shape a better future for those needing food access, as well as food banking in communities across California. Let’s be an example of how to beat food insecurity by communicating with each other and learning from each other.

When we exchange these best practices and procedures with what really works for our organizations, it leads to so many positive outcomes and high-impact resolutions. It seems to me that there is no better time to be had than spending it with my peers and associates at the CAFB Food ACCESS Conference 2024. I can’t wait to see you all there!!