Lunes de #: Banco de Alimentos Redwood Empire

Since 1987, the Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) has been working to relieve hunger in Sonoma and its surrounding counties. Through a network of 150 community distribution partners and by holding more than 300 distributions directly for community members, REFB provides consistent and nutritious food to thousands of individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Understanding the importance of consistent and whole nutrition, in 2021, REFB created a Provision of Help (POH) – a menu of items that ensure a balanced offering at every food distribution. Previously, the food bank’s offerings largely depended on inventory levels and availability. The structured menu enabled more effective inventory forecasting while ensuring participants receive a mix of essential food items, ensuring that all participants receive equitable and nutritious food options, regardless of when or where they visit a distribution site.

The POH menu includes staples such as grains, proteins, and produce, and, until February, eggs.

One of the most significant additions to the POH menu was eggs. Knowing that eggs are a dietary staple across many cultures and a valuable source of protein that  people of all ages can enjoy, REFB created the mantra “eggs at every distribution."

I’m so grateful for the fresh eggs I receive at the distribution. They’re a staple in our household, and it’s wonderful to have such a nutritious and versatile food available. It’s a big help in making ends meet and ensuring my family has healthy meals.”

REFB Food Recipient

Thanks to funding from the State of California’s CalFood program, REFB was able to partner with an egg supplier to secure 13,500 dozen eggs per week. “CalFood is important to the Redwood Empire Food Bank and the people who turn to us for help because we consistently rely on CalFood to provide staple items like a dozen eggs per household. We pride ourselves on offering a balanced provision of help, including protein, dairy, shelf-stable grains and proteins, as well as a bounty of fresh produce. CalFood funding maintains that balance and promise to those in the community who struggle with food insecurity and nutrition insecurity.” – Redwood Empire Food Bank.

This California-based egg supplier’s reliability and affordability played a key role in making eggs a consistent part of REFB’s food offerings — until devastatingly, REFB has had to pause its distribution of this vital food item. As community need continued to grow, REFB’s available CalFood funds were quickly exhausted. The food bank began relying on their regular food purchasing budget to continue buying eggs, but the rising cost of eggs, along with increasing demand, forced REFB to make the difficult decision to pause egg purchases. Instead, REFB is now offering dry pinto beans and peanut butter as alternative protein sources.

A decrease in CalFood would impact our overall food budget, which is already the highest it’s ever been. We are serving more people than ever on a consistent basis, as well as welcoming new families every month. The cost of food is only increasing for individuals and for us food banks. We need CalFood funding to make ends meet.”

Banco de alimentos Redwood Empire

Without a permanent increase to CalFood in this year’s state budget, CalFood funding will drop from approximately $63 million to $8 million, and REFB will be forced to make even more difficult decisions about food purchases. The food bank’s ability to provide essential items will be severely impacted, and adjustments will have to be made to distribution models, food sourcing, and menu offerings. The need for sustained and adequate CalFood funding has never been more urgent. Without it, the food bank’s ability to serve the growing number of individuals in need will be significantly compromised.

Our partnership with the California Association of Food Banks is essential to the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s ability to effectively address hunger in our community. The CalFood funding is particularly important, as it enables us to procure nutritious, locally-produced eggs—a valuable food staple that is rarely donated. This funding not only supports California farmers and producers, but also ensures we can consistently provide a well-rounded variety of healthy food options to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. We deeply value this collaboration and the positive impact it has on the people we serve.”

–Allison Goodwin, President & CEO, Redwood Empire Food Bank

Despite these challenges, REFB remains committed to its mission. Through the support of donors, partners, and the community, the food bank will continue working toward a future where hunger is no longer a reality for thousands of families in Northern California. But REFB cannot do this work alone. Without adequate CalFood funding, food banks across California will be forced to scale back services at a time when more families than ever are struggling to put food on the table. California’s leaders must act now to sustain $60 million for CalFood in the State budget — because no one in California should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

All photos/quotes/information courtesy of Redwood Empire Food Bank.
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