AGENDA

Facilitators

• Alice Lee-Osborne, Director of Development, California Association of Food Banks
• Kelly Smith, Community Engagement & Learning Manager, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Facilitators

• Stacy Robson, CFO, California Association of Food Banks
• Angela Dominguez, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Mendocino Food & Nutrition Program

Facilitators

• Stacia Levenfeld, CEO, California Association of Food Banks
• Natalie Caples, Co-CEO, Central California Food Bank

Facilitators

• Stephanie Nishio, California Association of Food Banks
• Genevieve Pyeatt, Director of Programs, Yolo Food Bank

Facilitators

• Maria Houlne, VP of Supply Chain, California Association of Food Banks
• Kristin Kvesic, Senior Donated Food Manager, CAP OC Food Bank

Facilitators

• Kellie Longo Flores, VP of Policy & Advocacy, California Association of Food Banks
• Malia Cary, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

Facilitators

• May Lynn Tan, Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives, California Association of Food Banks
• Karen Strach, Director of Programs, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Description

Join us for a beginners' workshop on advocacy, where we’ll dive into understanding the California budget and legislative processes. Through interactive exercises including drafting a targeted social media post to looking up a bill, you will learn effective advocacy strategies to make your voice heard in shaping policies that matter to you and your community.

Presenters

• Gabby Davidson, Policy Advocate, California Association of Food Banks
• Becky Silva, Director of Government Relations, California Association of Food Banks
• Itzul Gutierrez, Senior Policy Advocate, California Association of Food Banks
• Cassidie Carmen Bates, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Rachel Monaco, Senior Manager, Policy & Advocacy at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

Description

Do you believe in a food bank network where women in operations thrive and achieve their highest potential, in service of ending hunger? The Women in Ops group exists to create community with women in food bank operations so that we can leverage our combined talents, energy, support and ambition in service of our shared mission. During this workshop we will discuss how do we care for ourselves and others; what does it mean to belong; what do we do to lift each other up? This is open to everyone.

Presenters

• Alisha Keezer-Lewis, Director of Supply Chain, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
• Emily Acosta, Produce Sourcing and Quality Manager, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

Description

In 2020, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley undertook an effort to transform its organizational culture to one grounded in the values of Equity and Belonging. As a food bank, they recognize that the inequities created by systemic racism are the root causes for hunger in our community. In examining and evolving their internal culture, it became clear that their external advocacy work needed to shift as well. In this panel presentation, SHSV will describe how the organization first committed to this work, created a framework for our external advocacy centered on addressing root causes, and how they plan to deepen their connection to the community to understand the largest barriers to food security.

Participants will leave with 1. Strategies to broach this topic with their executive leadership, board, and philanthropy teams, 2. A model framework for identifying root cause issues unique to their local community and 3. A network of like-minded food bankers interested in broadening their advocacy focus.

Presenters

• Leslie Bacho, Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
• Maya Rams Murthy, Vice President of Programs & Services, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
• Tracy Weatherby, Vice President, Strategy & Advocacy, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

Description

The Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano has worked to further integrate their community advocates in every phase of their policy process and organization - with two advocates on the Board of Directors. With new and best practices to share best practices about how they have handled re-traumatization with community advocates, addressed advocate burnout from reliving their story in legislative spaces, and supported advocates in identifying their subject area of expertise. Learn how they have expanded, implemented, and funded their community-based advocacy training programs and how other nonprofits can utilize this blueprint in implementing community advocate programs at their own organizations. 

Presenters

• Cassidie Bates, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Hailey Solares, Strategic Partnerships Facilitator, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Keva Dean, Board Member & Community Advocate, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Dawn Manley, Food & Fund Drive Coordinator, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Jenny Berten, Board Member & Community Advocate, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano

Description

Learn about how community-engaged research can support food banks’ mission and goals and build capacity in important skills in community-engaged research. Community-engaged research can form part of food bank strategies in several ways, such as evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs, identifying new opportunities for improving services, and developing initiatives to address food insecurity in the community. During this workshop, the presenters will cover best practices for developing a strong foundation for academic-community partnered research and provide tips and strategies on the principles of community-engaged research, developing and strengthening community-university partnerships, methods to engage partners and clients in research, and tips for disseminating research to inform programs and policies that help all Californians achieve food and nutrition security. Participants will leave the workshop with a strong understanding for the potential benefits of a strong partnership with researchers to advance their respective mission and goals.

Presenters

• Wei-ting Chen, Executive Director, Food for Health Equity Lab, Stanford Medicine
• Maya Murthy, MPH, Vice President of Programs, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
• Lisa Goldman Rosas, PhD MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford Medicine

Description

Emergency Allotments (EAs), which boosted monthly CalFresh benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic, represent the largest-ever increases in CalFresh benefit amounts to date. When EAs ended in March 2023, CalFresh households lost an average of $184, or 38% of their total benefit. This session presents findings from a mixed-methods study conducted by CAFB which documents the impact of EAs in California, including the average value of benefits received by different types of households, and the lived experiences of households before and after EAs ended. Learn about the effectiveness of EAs as an anti-hunger intervention and what permanent policies and investments are needed to address hunger today. 

Presenters

• May Lynn Tan, Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives, California Association of Food Banks

Description

Understanding who is served by the charitable food system is essential for ensuring that programs are effective and equitable. In this session, we will explore different types of data that can be used by charitable food organizations for strategic and operational planning. These include client/neighbor intake data, which captures the reach of services, and survey data, which provides deeper insight into client/neighbor experiences. We will also provide examples of dashboards and visualizations that can help foster a data-driven culture.

Presenters

• Chris Rainwater, Service Insights & Analytics Manager, Feeding America
• May Lynn Tan, Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives, California Association of Food Banks

Description

Learn more about the transformative impact of School Meals for All in California and beyond in this session. Drawing from recent data published by the Nutrition Policy Institute and the Food Research and Action Center we’ll explore the success and intricacies of implementing universal school meals programs. Gain insights on the economic, social, and educational benefits of ensuring all children have access to nutritious school meals. Join us to learn from leading experts and contribute to the evolution of school meal programs nationwide.

Moderator: Iztul Gutierrez, Senior Policy Advocate, Californa Association of Food Banks 

Presenters

• Wendi Gosliner DrPH, RD, Director, Food Policy Research and Translation, Nutrition Policy Institute, UC Berkeley
• Crystal FitzSimons, Child Nutrition Programs & Policy Director, Food Research and Action Center
• Gurjeet Barayah, Staff Services Manager II, Nutrition Services Division, California Department of Education
• Christina Lawson, Director of Food Services, Western Placer Unified School District

Description

California recently began an initiative to radically transform the MediCaid system in California with the ultimate goal of advancing health equity outcomes. “Medi-Cal”, California’s Medicaid program, covers more than one-third of the state’s population. As part of this initiative, food banks have the opportunity to contract with local health plans to provide medically supportive and/or medically tailored groceries and meals. In this session, both Alameda County Community Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County will present their timelines for contracting, program models, key relationships, and future plans. In doing so, we hope to demonstrate how organizations can engage with CalAIM. The session will conclude with an interactive readiness assessment.

Attendees will:

• Be provided an update on the national and state policies and structures guiding this opportunity, Learn from two California food banks that have successfully contracted with a local health plan and are beginning programming
• Hear how to engage your leadership in conversations in this opportunity, and
• Map your own food bank’s capacity and readiness

Presenters

• Vanessa Arizmendi, Wellness and Nutrition Director, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
• Josué Barajas, Chief Programs Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
• Katie Ettman, Food and Agriculture Senior Policy Manager, SPUR
• Rebecca Murillo, Food as Medicine Program Manager, Alameda County Community Food Bank

Description

This summer, California will be rolling out a new program called SUN Bucks, a food benefit for school age kids to cover meals during the summer months when school’s out. Come and learn more about the program, how eligible families can make sure they get it, and ways that your organization can support outreach about the program locally.

Moderator: Becky Silva, Director of Government Relations, California Association of Food Banks

Presenters

• Crystal FitzSimons, Child Nutrition Programs & Policy Director, Food Research and Action Center
• Sharisse Kemp, California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Bureau Chief, California Department of Social Services
• Jennifer LeBarre, Executive Director, Student Nutrition Services, San Francisco Unified School District
• Katie Tully, Director, Nutrition Services Division, California Department of Education

Description

How do we protect streamlined and easy access to public benefits for people who are experiencing hunger, as technology evolves? Over the last six years, advocates have created a new path of advocacy and feedback in California’s technology development. Join us to discuss successes, challenges, and advocacy opportunities in the development of user-centered websites like BenefitsCal that can deliver services to improve health and social outcomes. Learn more about this platform and California's efforts to better serve all public-benefits-seeking Californians.

Presenters

• Jodie Berger, Senior Attorney, Western Center on Law & Poverty
• Jenn Tracy, Consultant, California Association of Food Banks & CalSAWS Advocates Group
• Marcela Marquez, CalFresh Program Director, Maternal and Child Health Access

Description

California campuses have and continue to undergo a revolutionary transformation, advancing a data-driven, dignity-centered, and systemwide collaborative approach to addressing student food and nutrition security. Gain insights as Higher Ed leaders take you on a generative journey from past, present, and future of this vital work. Learn about harnessing data, engaging students, and using creativity to build your own action plan that honors cultural diversity in your food pantry, nutrition education, and CalFresh Outreach initiatives. Session participants will gain practical knowledge on overcoming barriers and enhancing program efficiency through data sharing, strategic alignment, and coordinated outreach, ultimately supporting college students and community clients across the state.

Presenters

• Aaron Kunst, MA, Co-Director - CalFresh Outreach, Chico State University - Center for Healthy Communities
• Ruben Canedo, Director, Strategic Equity Initiatives, UC Berkeley Basic Needs Committee - Center for Healthy Communities
• Christina Limon, Beach Pantry Manager, California State University Long Beach
• Zachary Antoyan, Program Manager - Safety Net, Code for America
• Virginia Gray, Associate Professor & Interim Chair, California State University Long Beach

Description

Join us to dive into the latest developments surrounding CalFresh. Hear from a panel of experts as they share updates on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot, shed light on EBT Skimming, and discuss efforts around expanding food benefits to all, regardless of immigration status (Food4All). Plus, we’ll share policy updates concerning time-limits in CalFresh for Able-Bodies Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD).

Moderator: Gabby Davidson, Policy Advocate, California Association of Food Banks

Presenters

• Betzabel Estudillo, Director of Engagement, Nourish California
• Andrew Kasakes, Senior Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
• Becky Silva, Director of Government Relations, California Association of Food Banks
• Louise Thao, CalFresh Policy Manager, California Department of Social Services

Description

Explore how the Food Boss HQ is creating an experience “Where Every Bite is a Nutritious Celebration of Health, Diversity, and Empowerment”. Utilizing a comprehensive array of services, tools, and knowledge, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County aims to change the narrative of diet culture by addressing disparities and social determinants of health. This workshop will discuss the higher risk faced by food insecure neighbors for developing disordered eating behaviors and experiencing weight stigma and why language, empowerment, and joyful eating matters. We will dive into the need for food and food banks to support mental wellness for our students and neighbors and how to do so in a way that is fun and empowering for individuals of all cultural backgrounds and body sizes. 

Presenters

• Lacey Baldiviez, PhD, Chief Impact Officer, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
• Kayla Mallari, Nutrition Manager, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Description

Navigating the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be confusing, exhilarating, empowering, and unsettling. Where should you start? What tools can you use in fundraising? Is it “okay” to use these tools in our work? Join us as we take steps to demystify AI and explore practical applications within your fundraising programs. During our time together, we will help you gain confidence in AI's role in fundraising, and we hope you walk away with valuable knowledge and the desire to explore further. Reshape your understanding of AI and its dynamic potential in fundraising.

Presenters

• Robert Johnson, Senior Creative Director, Douglas Shaw & Associates
• Ali Colbran, Senior Director of Development, Feeding San Diego
• Pete Brooks, Senior Consultant, Douglas Shaw & Associates

Description

Westside Food Bank and Yolo Food Bank will share how they each held successful events to highlight the issue of food insecurity among their elected representatives and provide a blueprint for how your food bank can do it too. Learn how they leveraged data and community partners to inform attendees and inspire support of partnerships and policies to address it. Create an action plan to do it at your food bank and take home tools to ensure your event is a success.

Presenters

• Genevieve Riutort, President & CEO, Westside Food Bank
• Genevieve Pyeatt, Director of Programs, Yolo Food Bank
• Marshelle Fair, Executive Assistant, Westside Food Bank

Description

Is there a wish list of projects but not enough staff hours in the day to move them forward? Do you have work that is outside of the scope of what a typical volunteer position can deliver? Building people capacity by leveraging More-Than-Volunteer partnerships may be a great solution for your organization. The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County has been on a journey to expand our partnerships with programs that provide interns, AmeriCorps, California Volunteers placements, and more (what we call “More-Than-Volunteers”) to extend our reach in our community without impacting our payroll expenses. Join us for this session where we will discuss how you can incorporate More-Than-Volunteers into your organization.

Presenter

• Kelly Smith, Community Engagement and Learning Manager, Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Description

Utilities and food banks are challenged with providing access to primary life essentials in their communities: Food and Energy. Food banks are often at the forefront of an individual’s mind when they are facing financial uncertainty and are entrusted to provide the most basic human necessity: food. Together, utilities and food banks can enhance the experience and overall well-being of the communities that they serve by providing access to food and expanding resources. Join this informative workshop to learn how you can leverage and expand your partnership with your local utility. During the workshop you will learn about successful collaborations in emergency preparedness and response. In addition, you will learn about opportunities for outreach compensation, and customer assistance and support programs that can better serve your communities.

Presenters

• Kathrine Long, Community Outreach Marketing Strategist, Expert at Pacific Gas & Electric Company
• Monique Pascual, Customer Care CBO Strategy, Principal at Pacific Gas & Electric Company 
• Lizz Stout, Access and Functional Needs Program Manager, Principal at Pacific Gas & Electric Company 

Description

Disasters can disrupt lifelines and impact communities. This workshops will explore the cascading impacts of various natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, on food accessibility and the exacerbation of existing food insecurities. Participants will leave with 1) a better understanding of how natural disasters can lead to cascading impacts on near- and long-term food access / security; and 2) resources to enhance their own planning and preparedness for natural hazards. 

Presenters

• Monika Stoeffl, Executive Director, California Resiliency Alliance

Description

Alameda County Community Food Bank has been using Libratory Design in its strategic plannning process. In this workshop, ACCFB with share its experience using this process, and attendees will immersively explore the mindsets and modes of Liberatory Design, using the liberatory design process to address a concrete challenge expereinced by workshop attendees. There is time for reflection and to explore the application of the approach in your work. The session is for folks that want to innovate their programs or operations using an equity-centered process.

Presenters

• Susie Wise, Director of Strategy, Alameda County Community Food Bank, and a Co-Creator of Liberatory Design
• Clarissa Broughton, Strategic Projects Manager, Alameda County Community Food Bank

Description

This presentation allows participants to explore a framework that supports vulnerable communities in response to food inequities. Workshop participants will gain an understanding of strength based and culturally relevant approaches when working with vulnerable community members including farmworkers, immigrants, and limited English speaking community members.
Presenters

• Emily Jane Freed, CSU Long Beach Graduate Student, Emergency Services Administration
• Universidad Popular: Flower Alvarez-Lopez, Nathalie Martinez, & Angelica Santiago

Description

Free grocery stores have begun to pop up throughout the state, enhancing dignity and choice in California’s communities. In this workshop, we will explore the paths of three food banks in making their vision of a free market a reality for their community, as well as explore the different models of these three established grocery stores: Fresh Choice Pantry in Oroville, First Fruits Market in Fresno, and The Marketplace in Hollister.

Moderator: Natalie Caples, co-CEO, Central California Food Bank

Presenters

• Tom Dearmore, Chief Operations Officer, CAP Butte - North State Food Bank
• Kym Dildine, co-CEO, Central California Food Bank
• Sarah Nordwick, CEO, Community FoodBank of San Benito County

Description

This session is focused on how food is delivered from the grower to the carrier and how the food bank keeps shelf life on the produce until it reaches California's communities. The panelists will walk us through what challenges they face and what solutions they have found along the way.

Presenters

• Elio Angel, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Cache Produce
• Kevin Harold, Food Sourcing Supervisor, Food Share of Ventura County
• Jenna Wainaina, Director of Operations, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
• Eduardo Gaxiola, Owner, G&R Transportation 
• Chad Linton, President, Pacific Connection

Description

Perhaps your food bank has been discussing “automating” your warehouse or “barcoding” your inventory – and it seems like it would help your organization. Now what? We will cover food bank industry specifics around what is needed to make this a reality. We’ll share the nuts and bolts of the project(s), complete with pictures and lessons learned. The session will be split between presentation of key concepts, a lessons-learned round table and plenty of time for participant Q&A. This session is designed be ERP neutral in many aspects but will include some Ceres specifics.

Presenters

• Sharon Jacobson, Founder/ Consultant, SJ Consulting, Inc.
• Jamie Rosskopf, Senior Project Manager, Feeding America Technology
• San Francisco-Marin Food Bank

Description

As the need for food rises in the state, how can organizations be proactive in securing their food supply chain? This session will include three presenters who will talk about their innovative food purchasing strategies, followed by a roundtable discussion focused on strategies around co-operative food purchasing. 

Presenters

• Janae Crawford, Foods Purchasing Manager, California Association of Food Banks
• Kevin Harold, Food Sourcing Supervisor, Food Share of Ventura County
• Tyron Pelser, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
• Margie Palomarez-Yumul, Interim Program Manager - Food Bank, Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County