Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People • The Food Bank for Humboldt County

October 2014 Hunger Action Month 2014 By Deborah Waxman, Director of Programs

September was Hunger Action Month, and Food for People joined the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks for a month of activities to raise nd awareness about hunger and The 22 Annual The Holiday Spirit Food and Fund Drive will food insecurity in America, and kick off with the Canned Food Cowboy Convoy especially in Humboldt County. Holiday Spirit Food on November 22. At left, last year's Cowboy Convoy in Old Town, Eureka. At right, food According to Feeding and Fund Drive donated during last year's drive. America’s Hunger in America 2014 By Laura Hughes, Local Food Resources Coordinator National Report, more than one in six Americans (18.2%) report School is in session, the days including and beyond the holidays. who do not have enough food to creativity and enthusiasm of all that over the past 12 months, they are getting shorter, and the holiday eat. But the barrel food drive is our participants. Not only does the did not have enough money to season is around the corner! The holidays can be a stressful only one of several Holiday Spirit Hunger Fighter Challenge bring buy needed food for themselves time for anyone. But for low- activities. in much-needed food, it's also a or their families. In Humboldt At Food for People, we’re income families with limited fun way to get people involved and County, where the poverty rate planning the biggest food resources, providing additional The Hunger Fighter Challenge educate them about the realities is higher than both the state collection event of our year: the meals to kids while they’re An essential component of the and national averages, hunger 22nd Annual Holiday Spirit Food home on break from school, the Holiday Spirit Food and Fund Drive Continued on page 5 is a daily experience for many and Fund Drive. Soon you’ll be expectation of buying gifts, and is the Hunger Fighter Challenge. seeing our food donation barrels at the pressure to provide a special Any group can participate and Continued on page 10 locations throughout the county, holiday meal for loved ones can be put together a Hunger Fighter each decorated with our logo and more than stressful. In many cases, Team. If you’re interested, just list of most-needed foods. it’s simply out of the question. let us know, and we’ll get you started. Our Hunger Fighter teams Last year, community members That’s where the “Holiday include businesses, churches, donated over 64,000 pounds Spirit” of our generous community schools, civic organizations, and of food to help feed neighbors, comes in. Hundreds of businesses, community groups, all who sign friends, and families in need. We organizations, groups, and up to participate in a friendly invite you to participate in our individuals pitch in across the competition to determine which efforts again this season. Every county to participate in various team can collect the most food donation makes a difference. efforts to raise funds and collect and funds during the months of Together, we can help ensure food to help make the holidays November and December. Each Holiday Bags will that everyone in our community a little easier on families with Hunger Fighter Team creates their be distributed in the has enough nutritious food to children, seniors, the disabled and own unique approach to raising Times Standard on

eat during the winter months, homebound, and working people food and funds. We appreciate the November 25.

www.foodforpeople.org

Permit No 159 No Permit

707-445-3166

Eureka CA 95501 CA Eureka Eureka CA 95501 CA Eureka

PAID 307 West 14th Street 14th West 307

The Food Bank for Humboldt County Humboldt for Bank Food The U.S. Postage U.S.

Food for People, Inc. People, for Food Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit 2 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County What the People at Food for People Do By Erin Tharp, Community Food Programs Coordinator

What do the people at Food for People do? As the Community with some of our clients because Food Programs Coordinator, they’ve been doing it for so long. I supervise our two senior Two of my drivers, a couple, buy programs, the Commodity granola bars and add them to the Supplemental Food Program bag. They are very committed (CSFP) and the Senior Brown Bag to the clients and we hear from Board of Directors Program, and our Homebound clients that the volunteers are Nicholas Vogel, President Delivery Program. Up to 600 in turn an important support Carol Vander Meer, Vice President people are served monthly system for them. Drivers are my Jerome J. Simone, Treasurer through these programs. link, bridging a gap between Caterina Lewis-Perry, Secretary me and the client. Typically the Annie Bolick-Floss The Commodity Supplemental drivers are the ones who tell me Bill Daniel Food Program provides a 30- if the client has moved or passed Lew Litzky 40 pound box of nutritious away, because a client’s family Martha Spencer food monthly to income-eligible doesn't always know they’ve been seniors. receiving our services.

Staff The Senior Brown Bag Program One of the challenges of my Anne Holcomb provides a bag of groceries for work is that every single week is Executive Director low-income senior households different. I don’t have a routine Amelia Boulware each month. Volunteer drivers every day. Things come up that Fund Development Director deliver bags to those who are must be addressed. It’s kind of Andy Nieto Erin Tharp, Community Food Programs unable to pick up their own food. controlled chaos! It requires a Operations Manager Coordinator, gets ready for Senior Distribution great deal of organization and Art Brown Day at the Eureka warehouse. Our Homebound Delivery accurate record keeping, not to Driver Program provides a monthly bag mention the organization of food Carrie Smith of groceries for adults under age in our warehouse. I spend about Child Nutrition Programs Coordinator 60 who are too ill or disabled half my time at my desk and half Cassandra Culps to leave their homes. Some my time on the warehouse floor. Nutrition Education Coordinator recipients are recovering from Corey Tipton illness or surgery, while others This work has also made me Bookkeeper may be coping with a terminal realize the community need. Darci Gibson illness. Referrals are accepted Most people know there’s a high Pantry Network Coordinator from hospital discharge planners, rate of hunger and food insecurity Deborah Waxman social workers, and home health in Humboldt County, but seeing Director of Programs workers. people in their homes makes me Desiree Hill realize how much we don't see, Warehouse Coordinator One of the most rewarding and yet it’s right there. Many of Erin Tharp parts of my job is working our elders are of a generation that Community Food Programs Coordinator with clients one on one, which is not accustomed to asking for Heidi McHugh is challenging because during help. There's a stigma attached to Community Education & Outreach Coordinator distributions I’m really busy, and asking for help, so they don't ask Jeanna DiMinno when I’m not doing distributions, and go without. Fundraising Assistant I am preparing deliveries or Jeff Gupton cleaning up. The other day a If you or someone you know Food Distribution Coordinator woman came in to re-certify could use the assistance of one Laura Hughes for CSFP, and I had a chance to of the three programs outlined Local Food Resources Coordinator sit down with her and do the above, please contact Erin Tharp, Michael Quintana application. It feels good to be able Community Food Programs CalFresh Application Assistor to help someone get something Coordinator, at 707-455-3166, ext. Nick Gauger they really need—food. A big 303, or etharp@foodforpeople. Warehouse Assistant problem I notice with my clients org. • Peggy Leviton is that on paper they have a pretty Finance Director significant income, but their Please visit our website at Philip Anderson medical costs are astronomical, www.foodforpeople.org Volunteer Coordinator so the money they actually have for more information about Stephen Uidl is insufficient. Seeing my clients all of our programs; staff Pantry Network Driver living in substandard conditions contact information; hunger Suzanne Ross-Kohl and without help is very difficult. education information and Inventory Database Manager resources; copies of past Tim Crosby Our volunteer drivers are newsletters and annual Mobile Produce Pantry Coordinator really important. They have long- reports; healthy recipes; standing personal relationships and more! Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 3

farmers who have been forced to volume of bonus commodities Notes from the Director leave their fields fallow for lack of and it usually ranges from 25-75% water. Ranchers have reduced the of the total volume of commodity size of their herds, and farmers foods we receive in a month. The Future of Hunger have scaled back production. But that has changed recently as What many of our readers may not food prices have soared and the By Anne Holcomb know is that this has already had government has seen no need to an impact on food banks' access purchase crops to stabilize prices. individual in need. But looking we work toward the goal of ending to what are referred to as “bonus As the USDA exhausts their supply beyond the day-to-day reality of hunger. The gap between the commodities” offered to food of previously purchased bonus making sure our programs reach “haves” and the “have nots” has banks by the U. S. Department of commodities, we’ve seen very the people who need our help as widened significantly in the wake Agriculture (USDA). little here at the food bank, and the efficiently, cost effectively, and of the Great Recession, and many volume of 9,000-23,000 lbs. of food respectfully as possible, Hunger economists are now saying that For those who aren’t familiar we typically received has dropped Action Month also prompted some one of the most important steps we with the USDA commodity to about 3,000 lbs. per month. discussion about the challenges can take to improve the economy is programs, the USDA contracts Unless purchasing guidelines are inherent in characterizing hunger to get more money into the hands with large agricultural producers to changed, which does not appear as a solvable problem. of our lower and middle income purchase the commodity foods that likely, this trend will continue until households because they are the are provided to schools and food the drought ends, putting more Food for People’s Board and ones who are most likely to spend banks. The budget for commodity pressure on us to seek donations Management Team have been those dollars within their local purchases is set when the details of from local donors to make up for grappling with that very issue community to meet basic needs. the Farm Bill are negotiated every the decline. recently as part of our strategic This requires a better balance five years, and these designated planning efforts, thinking long and between wages/benefits and cost funds are intended to provide a As noted at the beginning It was inspiring to see so much hard about how to structure our of living, and we appreciate the guaranteed supply of meats, grains, of this column, ending hunger energy around Hunger Action organization to meet tomorrow’s work being done to help the vegetables, and fruits for food requires a much broader focus Month in September as people needs. As the process continues average citizen by advocates and banks' programs. The quantity that than feeding people. It will require shared their thoughts and their to unfold, we are asking ourselves policymakers who understand the food banks receive is based on a discussions amongst a larger group photos for our #HungerHurts social whether our focus should continue correlation between the two. formula that reflects local poverty of stakeholders and development media campaign or studied our to be on the very straightforward and unemployment rates, and of a thoughtful plan that is flexible “30 Ways in 30 Days” calendar for action of getting food to the people But one of the more immediate generally provides enough for us enough to adapt as circumstances links to books, articles, and movies who need it, which is what we know economic factors that we are just to choose three to five items each around us change. That’s that were designed to help us gain we do well, or whether we should beginning to learn more about is month—not enough variety for something that the membership of a better understanding of how be tackling the bigger challenge the impact that climate change will a food box but still a welcomed the California Association of Food hunger impacts so many lives in of actually ending hunger in our have on food production and the staple. Banks is beginning to grapple with, our community and beyond. The community. The latter is obviously cost of food, which is already on the and we look forward to being part calendar also included suggestions a tall order that requires the rise. Over the course of just the past Unlike regular commodities, of that effort on behalf of Humboldt for short-term actions each one engagement of many stakeholders, few years, we’ve seen an increase “bonus commodities” are County. Our top priority will always of us can take, either individually but one that we can’t afford to lose in major storms that have brought purchased with money that is be on providing food assistance or collectively, to be part of the sight of as the world around us increased rainfall and flooding to linked to the federal “price for those who need our help, but solution. Each of these actions is changes. some places while leaving other supports” program, which is we also feel strongly that we can’t incredibly important and can make areas, like California, in severe used to keep food prices stable afford to lose sight of that bigger a huge difference for that child, Economic stability for those drought. The drought has been when there is a glut of a particular goal. We invite you to share your family, senior citizen, or disabled we serve is clearly a top priority as devastating for many California item on the market. We track the thoughts as the process unfolds. •

Gleaning & Plant-a-Row Update Cucumber" for farmers in Freshwater to harvest lettuce and By Laura Hughes, Local Food Resources Coordinator Humboldt County, with several peas, a Willow Creek harvest trip farms donating thousands of to Neukom Family Farm for cherry What an incredibly bountiful has received a lot of great press pounds of excess cucumbers from tomatoes, and Willow Creek Farm growing season it’s been here coverage and enthusiasm from their over-productive crops. We’ve for beets. Warren Creek Farms in Humboldt County, and Food the local community this season. made several trips to Deep Seeded has donated several hundred for People has been reaping the Still, there are always folks who Community Farm, Redwood Roots pounds of cauliflower, Mad River benefits! haven’t heard about our Gleaning Farm, and Valley Flower Vegetable, Community Hospital Farm has Gleaning Armenian cucumbers at Program and what we do, and are among others, just to offload the also shared their abundant pea Valley Flower Vegetable in Shively. This year is on track to become excited to find out more about our enormous amount of cucumbers and green bean patches, and Left to right: Chris Valness, Laura one of the most productive community-based efforts to rescue from farmers who don’t know what Earthly Edibles in Korbel has Hughes, Jenny Orsini, and Rodney seasons on record for our Gleaning the overabundance of usable else to do with them! This comes more green beans than we can Corey. Program, already surpassing last food from farms and gardens on the heels of a terrible cucumber reasonably harvest. year’s totals in early September. throughout Humboldt County to season last year, which prompted a result, donations have increased. 2014’s unusually dry, sunny help our friends and neighbors in farmers to plant more than they On top of these on-farm weather has definitely been a factor need. needed, just in case. harvests and pick-ups, farmers' Donations of fruit from in terms of local food production. market gleanings have also been residents with fruit trees through Farmers and gardeners alike have Farm donations have been In addition to the glut of incredibly productive this season, our "Plant A Row for the noticed produce ripening earlier bountiful this season, bringing in cucumbers, we’ve made several bringing in over 6,000 pounds Hungry" campaign have also been and in greater quantities than over 58,000 pounds of produce large gleaning trips to other so far. Markets have been more particularly abundant this season. previous years. In addition, Food as of early September. 2014 farms as well, including a few successful and well-attended by for People’s Gleaning Program is apparently the "Year of the visits to Organic Matters Ranch in farmers and shoppers alike, and as Continued on page 4 4 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County The People’s Produce Market Help By Andy Nieto, Operations Manager From May to October, Food "Donate, Don’t Dump," to supply to give us the opportunity to initiatives via the Redwood Coast Sustain Us: for People hosts a series of our markets with nutritious foods. serve our Southern Humboldt Energy Authority. We incorporate free produce markets for low- region. Our community partners live musical performances from Join the income individuals and families This year marks the sixth season at the Southern Humboldt Family local musicians who donate in Humboldt County. These of the Fortuna Produce Market. Resource Center in Redway and their time, and partner with 800 Club markets are offered in four In partnership with Fortuna Produce Market Coordinator Patti Public Health to provide cooking locations throughout the county Community Services, Food for Rose in Garberville have reached demonstrations to inspire clients between May and October, and People has already served over a combined 595 households to try new recipes The 800 Club is our regular provide a regular assortment of 565 families and distributed over and distributed a total of 43,000 giving program composed fresh produce to enhance the 43,000 pounds of fresh produce. pounds! Rural locations such as As with all Food for People of community members who diets and health of our clients This market, like our markets held this have limited access to fresh, programming, we are grateful donate monthly or quarterly. and their families. The markets in Eureka and Southern Humboldt, affordable produce. Hosting these to the many supporters that Many, many years ago, provide clients with access to fresh conducts regular outreach with markets has given our neighbors make these markets possible. 800 people donating $5 a fruits such as apples, oranges, clients, including CalFresh pre- the opportunity to take home 72 Local donors, be they gardeners month is what it took to grapefruits, melons, plums, pears, screening and healthy meal pounds of produce per family over or farmers, regularly supply cover our yearly budget. and strawberries. Clients may planning assistance through food the course of the season. pristine and organic items for Since that time, we have also choose from nutritious demonstrations and recipes. We our programs. Funders such greatly increased our services veggies such as mixed greens, work closely with our nearby Our 2014 People's Produce as St. Joseph’s Health System to children, seniors, and onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, pantries in Loleta, Ferndale, Market in Eureka has been Foundation allow us to purchase working families in need potatoes, cabbage, corn, squash, Fortuna, and Rio Dell/Scotia to incredibly successful, having low-cost bulk produce from throughout our community. kale, bell peppers, eggplant, and refer their clients to the market and already served 930 families. California packers and growers. We currently provide food cucumbers. ensure that all low-income families During the market (which runs Private donors (like you!) keep our assistance for more than in the Eel River Valley know of this from noon until 2 PM), clients warehouse and fridges running 12,000 people monthly, and With sponsorship from wonderful opportunity to add have the opportunity to learn so produce can be stored and our yearly budget has grown St. Joseph’s Health System variety and a nutritious boost to about the CalFresh program, distributed. A big thank you to our proportionately. Foundation, we work in their meals. Healthy Kids Humboldt children’s volunteers and staff who make partnership with local farmers health insurance, children’s oral the People's Produce Markets a What remains the same is and gardeners, and statewide St. Joseph’s Health System health through RCAA’s TOOTH success every season! • that everyone doing their part programs like Farm to Family and Foundation’s generosity continues program, and energy sustainability and donating a comfortable monthly amount turns into something powerful. Gleaning & Plant-a-Row Update Money we can depend upon allows us to make long- Continued from page 1 Creek, and beyond. We try to Row for the Hungry" campaign St. Vincent de Paul, Eureka Rescue term plans while building provide harvest assistance where have surpassed 13,000 pounds. Mission, The Raven Project, The strong foundations for our In addition to previous donors possible, but the volume of calls Ink Annex, and many others. In programs. Your donations calling back again this year to offer has surpassed our ability to So how is all this produce addition, our Nutrition Education will make a direct impact their fruit, our media outreach respond to them all in a timely used and distributed to the and Outreach team provides locally. Thank you to all efforts seem to have brought in manner, so we encourage donors community? What do we do with easy recipes, tips, samples, and 800 Club members; your more new community donors than to bring in fruit from their trees all those cucumbers for example? even classes to help our shoppers commitment is making a previous years. Residents from when possible. Produce through Food for People’s prepare items in a tasty and healthy difference and is allowing us all over the county have called to Gleaning Program is distributed manner. Fresh produce is an to help where we are needed request volunteers to harvest their In addition to fruit tree harvests, to over 12,000 people throughout essential and vital part of a healthy most. plums, pears, apples, and Asian walk-in donations of produce have the county, many of whom are diet, and together these efforts pears. Calls for trees have been also been abundant, with many seniors and children. Produce help to make more fresh, healthy, It’s easy to become an 800 coming in from McKinleyville, area gardeners and residents distribution most often takes place locally grown food available to Club member. Just fill out the Blue Lake, Fieldbrook, Arcata, dropping off surplus fruits and at our Choice Pantry in Eureka, or folks who otherwise might not be slip on this page and send it Eureka, and Fortuna, as well as vegetables at Food for People one of our 15 other Pantry Network able to afford it, bridging the gap in. You will receive a packet some from more remote locations directly. Already this season's sites throughout the county. In between food insecurity and local of 12 envelopes that makes like Hydesville, Bridgeville, Willow donations through the "Plant A many cases, produce is set out food resources. sending in your monthly in a farmers’ market style, where donation easy. Or contact I'd like to be a regular donor! shoppers can choose to take Are you interested in becoming us directly to help you set Please send an 800 Club Packet to: whatever they can use and feel is involved with our gleaning up a monthly or quarterly most appropriate for their families program? Just let us know! We are charge on the credit card of Name: and lifestyles. During the height in need of more volunteers to help your choice. You can also Address: of the season when we have so harvest fruit trees and respond set up an automatic fund much coming in, there is often no to other gleaning requests. To City, State, Zip: transfer with your bank. For limit on how much fresh produce donate, volunteer, or for more more information, contact Please charge my Visa or Master Card: shoppers can take. Sometimes information, contact Laura Amelia Boulware, our Fund Monthly Quarterly Amount: $ we even put fresh produce out Hughes, Local Food Resources Development Director, at in the Eureka Pantry lobby for Coordinator at 445-3166 ext. 312 or 707-445-3166 extension 306 Card Number: anyone who comes in to take if [email protected]. or email her at amelia@ Exp. Date: Sec. Code (on back of card): they need it. Gleaned produce is foodforpeople.org. Clip and mail to: also distributed to our network Thank you for being a part of the of non-profit partners including solution to address food insecurity 800 Club, Food for People, 307 W 14th St., Eureka, CA 95501 agencies like the Jefferson Project, in Humboldt County. • Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 5 22nd Annual Holiday Spirit Food and Fund Drive

Continued from page 1 Food for People, and do a great holidays, but through the winter job of motivating listeners. In months as well. Help us build of how hunger touches the lives addition to creating a fun, festive healthy, self-sufficient, hunger- of people we care about in our atmosphere that encourages folks free communities for ourselves, communities. to donate with donor challenges our friends, our neighbors, and and donor matches, we also have our children. We all benefit from a Donate to a Food Barrel the opportunity to educate our healthier community. Another important part of community about the work we do, our holiday collection efforts and have fun while doing it. Thanks Food for People is blessed with is partnering with businesses to our KHUM friends for their the support of caring individuals and organizations throughout dedication and ongoing support. and organizations that regularly the county to host one of the contribute to our food and fund food collection barrels mentioned Independent Food Drives drive efforts. Every donation is Below (top), members of last earlier. These businesses and their In addition to our larger efforts, important, no matter how small. year's HSU Service Learning Mission Statement locations are listed on our red and we help facilitate a number Hunger Fighter Team pose in food Food for People is working white holiday bags, to make it easy of smaller, independent food We wish everyone in our collection barrels. Below (bottom) to eliminate hunger and for people to donate wherever drives run by different groups in community a holiday season free KHUM’s Amy and Cliff Berkowitz improve the health and well- they can. We partner with the the community. Safeway, HSU, of hunger. • with Food for People’s Executive being of our community Times-Standard to distribute these College of the Redwoods, and Director Anne Holcomb at last through access to healthy and holiday bags with the newspaper many grade schools and high year's on-air drive. nutritious foods, community during the week of Thanksgiving. schools hold their own drives education, and advocacy. Keep in mind that food donations and then bring their donated stay in the communities in foods to Food for People. If which they are donated. Thanks you are interested in hosting Our Vision to Grocery Outlet, Wildberries, an independent drive, please We envision a hunger-free Safeway, Murphy’s Markets, contact us! community where everyone Northcoast Co-op, Ray’s Food in Humboldt County has Place, North Valley Bank, U.S. Bank There are many ways to access to good quality, nutri- and all of our other organizational participate in our Holiday tious food, everyone in the partners for hosting our collection Spirit Food and Fund Drive community understands the efforts this season. this season, and even more consequences of hunger and reasons to do so. poor nutrition, and each of us Cowboy Canned Food Convoy, has a role to play in creating Saturday, November 22 This year your donations a strong, healthy community. Each year, the Cowboy Canned are just as important as ever. Food Convoy serves as the big Despite evidence in some kick-off event for our Holiday sectors of a national recovery Our Values Spirit Food and Fund Drive. The from the Great Recession, •Respect: We will treat all of Redwood Unit of the Backcountry Humboldt County families our relationships with respect. Horsemen of California collects continue to experience a •Teamwork: We will foster co- non-perishable food items and far higher rate of need. operation among our diverse makes a trek across Eureka with Unemployment, under- volunteers, staff and commu- saddle bags full of nutritious employment, and a high cost nity partners. goodies that are donated to the of living combine to prevent •Innovation: We will continu- food bank. At the end of the trek many families from being ally seek to provide excellent near 2nd and A Streets in Old self-sufficient. Our efforts to services through the develop- Town, the Food for People team battle hunger and poverty are ment of new and improved feeds the horses apples and carrots urgently needed. methods to reduce hunger. while their riders unload hundreds •Stewardship: We will be ac- of pounds of food. It’s a great event We cannot serve the countable to all through the for families and kids! people we do – more than efficient and most appropriate 12,000 a month – without use of resources entrusted to us. On-Air Food Drive with KHUM thousands of generous •Integrity: We will demon- Another fun event is the week- people in our community strate the highest ethical stan- long, on-air food drive we host coming together to give dards in all interactions. in partnership with KHUM just what they can. Every can of after Thanksgiving. Each day food, every dollar, and every we broadcast live from different hour you donate makes a grocery stores throughout the big difference in a person’s county, and the KHUM DJs invite life. Help us share the various Food for People staff holiday spirit by helping members to speak on air about families put a special holiday their programs and the work of the meal on the table. Help us organization. KHUM’s Cliff, Amy, ensure that our friends and Mike, and Larry are wonderful neighbors are free from and well-informed advocates of hunger, not just during the 6 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County Child Nutrition Programs Update By Carrie M. Smith, Child Nutrition Programs Coordinator

The Children’s Summer Lunch Program

Have you ever gone a whole nutrition, children are more made possible by funding day without eating a full meal? likely to grow up stronger, with partnerships with the North Unfortunately, some children fewer developmental, physical, Coast Grantmaking Partnership, endure this reality on a daily and behavioral issues. It's our hope made up of St. Joseph Health basis. When school is out, getting that they will be healthy and ready Humboldt County, the Smullin enough to eat becomes even to start school in the fall. It’s a win/ Foundation, First 5 Humboldt, harder for children whose families win for everyone! the Humboldt Area Foundation, are struggling to make ends meet. the Mel and Grace McLean This is why Food for People is so According to a new report from Foundation, and the Union passionate about supplying food the Food Research and Action Labor Health Foundation, plus to children throughout the year. Center (FRAC), more low-income Cyprus Grove and other local California kids are now eligible to individuals and businesses. We The Children’s Summer Lunch receive meal assistance over the are deeply appreciative of their Program supplied healthy sack summer. support! • lunches at 18 sites throughout Humboldt County from June While the need persists, our For more information about through August. These lunches are Child Nutrition Programs keep child nutrition and California state free to any youth 18 years of age growing, and we are working to statistics on food need, visit the or younger. We served an average find the funding to meet this need. Hunger Education section of our of 350 children each weekday. website at www.foodforpeople.org. That’s a lot of hungry mouths to Funding for Food for People’s feed! But we know that with proper Summer Lunch Program is Backpacks for Kids and After-School Snack Program

Once summer ends and the On Fridays, the Backpacks Local Rotary Clubs, individual school year starts, the After- for Kids Program provides the donors, foundations, businesses, School Snack and the Backpacks children with a weekend food and other service clubs provide the for Kids programs begin. These package that includes breakfast, support necessary to purchase the programs offer free, kid-friendly, lunch, dinner, and snacks, so food and assemble the backpacks non-perishable food items to low that they can return to school on throughout the school year. • income kids for the times that they Mondays nourished and ready to are not at school. learn. Some items included are If you have questions, would peanut butter, oatmeal, mac and like to volunteer, or would like to The After-School Snack cheese, shelf stable milk, and a donate to either of these programs, Program gives out snacks to kids variety of canned food items. The please contact Carrie Smith at at 13 sites around the community cost is $265 to support one child, 445-3166 ext. 309 or csmith@ from the Eel River Valley all every weekend, for the school year. foodforpeople.org. the way to Willow Creek. These snacks are free to eligible children under the age of 18. This year we anticipate serving nearly 600 kids a day. The Summer Lunch Delivery Driver I'd like to be a regular donor! The Backpacks for Kids Our Summer Lunch Program Please send an 800 Club Packet to: Program offers a bag of food wouldn’t have been a success Name: to last the weekend. Teachers without our delivery driver, Luis have commented on better Davalos. Before he was hired, a Address: participation and academic former employer described him outcomes since these programs as a “quiet rockstar.” So true! His City, State, Zip: have been offered. The fact is, far pleasant demeanor and strong too many of our children live in work ethic kept the program Please charge my Visa or Master Card: poverty and are at risk for hunger running smoothly during the Monthly Quarterly Amount: $ and all of its related, negative summertime rush. He arrived at consequences. We served 460 the Food for People warehouse Card Number: children per week last year! Each everyday at 6 a.m., packed the enrolled child relies on the school lunches, and made sure that Exp. Date: Sec. Code (on back of card): meal programs as a primary approximately 15,000 lunches source of nutrition; when school served over the course of the Clip and mail to: is out, there may be nothing at summer made it to the correct 800 Club, Food for People, 307 W 14th St., Eureka, CA 95501 home to eat. sites. Thank you, Luis!• Luis Davalos Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 7

Legislative Advocate Inspires at 2014 CalFresh Forum By Deborah Waxman, Director of Programs This past spring, Food for throughout Humboldt County has People and the Humboldt County made the process of connecting Department of Health and Human to nutrition assistance through Services (DHHS) worked together CalFresh, even in the most remote to present the 2014 Humboldt corners of the county, more County CalFresh Forum, uniting accessible than ever before. With local nonprofits and DHHS transportation being a significant programs working on CalFresh challenge for rural residents, Outreach in Humboldt County. access to experts at remote County staff reviewed data trends community hubs and the DHHS between 2008 and today, noting Mobile Engagement Vehicle has that the number of individuals greatly improved food security for participating in CalFresh doubled Humboldt’s most vulnerable. since 2008, with the program currently reaching more than This year’s keynote speaker 18,000 individuals. This dramatic at our CalFresh Forum, Jessica increase is, in part, a result of Bartholow, is a legislative advocate the recession and a continued at the Western Center on Law slow recovery, especially and and Poverty, with nearly two specifically amongst low-income decades of experience in anti- households. poverty organizing, advocacy, and program development at The Supplemental Nutrition the local, state, and national Assistance Program (SNAP), level. She has co-authored formerly known as the Food several advocate and program Jessica Bartholow, Legislative Advocate from the Western Center on Law and Poverty, at CalFresh Forum 2014. Stamp Program, and known guides and led coalitions to as CalFresh in California, has support the passage of numerous programs and partnerships and It had to be stitches or a broken any state. It’s a crisis,” Bartholow alleviated a great deal of hunger in pieces of signed legislation that help us get our gears turning for bone, and there was a long noted, as she encouraged Forum Humboldt County and the United improve public benefits delivery, future, localized possibilities in debate to make sure it really was attendees to support and empower States during and after the Great consumer protections, and Humboldt County. an emergency, and then there low-income children and families Recession, as people who were financial empowerment for low- would be a fight, because it meant in Humboldt County, and to help suddenly out of work struggled to income Americans. She is the At this year’s Forum, Bartholow it would cost money needed for them tell their stories, as she does keep a roof over their heads and 2012 recipient of the Wellstone– reflected on her 2009 visit and rent or food,” she continued. So at the Capitol. food on the table. It has helped Wheeler National Anti-Hunger how far we and our partners have Bartholow and her sister rarely keep households out of poverty Advocate of the Year Award. Jessica come since then. She also shared spoke up when they were hurt, The entire afternoon of the full- and indirectly saved hundreds of has been a long-time partner and her personal story of growing up which in some instances led to day CalFresh Forum was devoted thousands of jobs in the grocery friend of Food for People since her in poverty in Northern California, serious complications and chronic to workshops for attendees to hone industry. In Humboldt County former role as Director of Programs with a father suffering from post- conditions and pain. their skills and understanding of alone, CalFresh participants spend at the California Association of traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) CalFresh, nutrition education, more than $2.5 million at local Food Banks, through which she after serving in the Vietnam War “My way out of poverty was and the art of collaboration. Six stores and farmers’ markets each was also the lead of a network and a mother who did everything through education,” Bartholow separate workshop topics covered month. Locally, participation in of peers engaging in CalFresh she could to keep the family shared. After patchworking the CalFresh application and CalFresh amongst seniors age 60 Outreach statewide. In that role, afloat, moving the family almost together grants, loans, and credit eligibility process and what the and older increased 373% between she helped us assemble the very every year and eventually needing cards, she put herself through process is like for both DHHS staff 2008 and 2013, and the number of first CalFresh Forum in Humboldt to work from home in order college and graduate school, and clients after an application has participating children from birth to County in 2009, which brought to prevent her husband from earning a degree in Political been submitted. The afternoon age 18 increased 60% in the same together representatives of food suicide. Of the many things Jessica Science. While in graduate school, included open dialogue between time period. banks and county social services remembers from her childhood, her father’s PTSD worsened nonprofits and DHHS eligibility offices from around the state to hunger is an experience she will significantly, and she asked a experts, plus workshops on A strategic partnership between share information about their (at never forget. “It’s not easy to grow Veterans Administration Clinic building skills needed for inter- DHHS and dozens of nonprofits the time Food Stamp) outreach up without enough food and watch to reach out to him to offer help. organizational collaborations and other people who have enough. They did, he accepted, and they stretching CalFresh dollars to How is it that no one at school also helped him apply for veterans’ create healthy meals. noticed that I was hungry? I was disability income assistance. good at hiding it, but why didn’t The 2014 CalFresh Forum was anyone notice?” she recalls. It Now, as a legislative advocate, a big success, providing attendees wasn’t until the tenth grade, when she works tirelessly to improve with a wealth of information, she refused to purchase a book low-income Californians’ access skills, and inspiration. And equally needed for a class, that school staff to assistance and make sure their important, personal stories like told her she might be eligible for voices and stories are heard in Jessica’s and those of the people the school lunch program. the legislative arena. “California we and our community partners is one of three states that in 2012 serve every day, remind us all She recalled the life-long had an increase in child poverty. how important it is to keep up our consequences of growing up We have the most child poverty strong, compassionate safety net. without access to affordable of any state in the country. We • healthcare. “We didn’t visit a have more homeless, homeless doctor unless it was an emergency. kids, and homeless veterans than 8 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County

Stories of Food Insecurity in Our Community By Heidi McHugh, Community Education & Outreach Coordinator

Providing CalFresh (the Between August and 2013 I helped a student who had america-2014-summary.pdf their benefits. This woman lost program formerly known as Food November of 2012, I helped a applied in August 2013 and had A follow-up call to a two- $11 in her monthly food budget, Stamps) application assistance man apply for CalFresh twice. been denied because of his status person household that I had and though it does not sound at Food for People is a wonderful This man had worked for a local as a full-time student. Since his assisted with a CalFresh like much, it has created more job. As expected, it feels great to company for 20 years only to be first application attempt, he had application revealed that they had hardship. She then commented provide a service that helps people let go two years from retirement. found a 20-hour/week job. He now discontinued their application. on what many people don’t realize access a consistent food budget He was so shocked by this turn of qualified for CalFresh. Because One of them had landed a great about the types of choices she so that they can incorporate more events, and so confident that he his next meal was waiting on his job and they would no longer has to make on this tight budget, fresh fruits and vegetables into would get another job right away, first paycheck or the CalFresh need CalFresh or visit our food and how it never ends. There are their diets and increase their food he missed the window to apply for application being approved, he pantry. But they could not stay no dinners out; it is the same security. What I did not expect unemployment benefits. He did visited our food pantry after I away from Food for People; they struggle every month. She chooses of this position, that I consider a not complete the first CalFresh assisted him with his application. were so grateful for our services between toiletries and food. She true blessing, are the stories that application for the same reason. A visit to our pantry follows they began volunteering with us chooses between medicine and are shared with me by the people Speaking to him the second time, a different eligibility process, on a regular basis! Many of our food. Her grandson’s first birthday we help. I could see he was still in disbelief and this student was hungry clients share their time and energy is next month. She will choose that things had turned out that way and needed food immediately. as volunteers. between a gift for him and food. My Food Notes article is usually after living securely and working Feeding America estimates that She has already made her choice oriented towards a discussion of so hard all of his life. His adult 10% of its 46.5 million adult clients I received a phone call from because she does not want to policies at the state and federal sons did not support his decision are currently students, including a low-income senior who lived appear to be an uncaring grandma. level that affect the CalFresh to apply for CalFresh because about two million people who out of state, but was planning program. I typically include data they had been influenced by the are attending school full-time. to relocate to Humboldt County. A woman set an appointment points and statistics that reveal negative images of the program. Nearly one-third of those surveyed He had initially contacted the to apply for CalFresh as the the shocking impact of hunger in This exacerbated his feeling of (30.5%) report that they’ve had California Department of Aging, authorized representative of our nation and our community. shame. He repeatedly expressed to choose between paying for who referred him to our local her terminally ill friend. Hospice This article will be free of those genuine gratitude to Food for food and covering educational Area 1 Agency on Aging, who of Humboldt had referred her to numbers (well, mostly). For this People and the way that we made expenses at some point in the mailed him a copy of their Senior Food for People for assistance with edition, I would like to share a him feel that it was okay to ask for last year. For more info, access Information Guide. Through the CalFresh. Her friend had only a sampling of the many stories help. http://help.feedingamerica.org/ guide, he learned about Food for month to live, as per the doctor’s that have been shared with me in HungerInAmerica/hunger-in- People. He made an appointment diagnosis. The woman’s illness my time here at Food for People. College students who attend america-2014-summary.pdf with me to apply for CalFresh. On left her with little appetite, except I will not be using names, as full time (6 units or more at HSU his application we also initiated his for cravings of yogurt and fresh the identities of our clients are and CR) are generally not eligible A disabled veteran who application for medical benefits. fruit. What little money the dying confidential, but each story below for CalFresh unless they meet an was camping in his mother’s He arrived in Eureka homeless woman had was spent to feed her is part of the narrative of hunger in exemption like working 20 hours backyard applied for CalFresh. At and was using the Betty Chinn cats (Hospice was arranging for our community. or more per week. In November that time he had only $120/month Day Center as a mailing address. care of the cats after she passed). in income because of a discrepancy Upon following up several weeks Food for People has a great working in his disability benefits. The later he told me he had already relationship with the Humboldt same issue affecting his disability seen his healthcare provider, County Department of Health and benefits delayed his CalFresh been approved for CalFresh, and Human Services (DHHS), who application processing. I was able found housing. He eats lunch at administers CalFresh in Humboldt to help him resolve the situation. the Humboldt Senior Resource County. I reached out to DHHS He eventually received the full Center’s Eureka Senior Dining to expedite this application. I amount of CalFresh benefits. He Site. He says the dining center is also helped her friend secure an secured an apartment with the “so welcoming I feel like I am at appointment in the Choice Pantry aid of the North Coast Veteran’s my parents’ house.” Nearly nine as a proxy, so that she could pick Resource Center. He also began million older adults are at risk of up some of the foods that her to receive his full Social Security hunger in the U.S. For more info, friend would want to eat. In three Disability Insurance payments, access http://www.aarp.org/aarp- days time she was purchasing fresh which drastically improved his foundation/our-work/hunger/ fruit and yogurt for her friend with situation. He was undergoing learn-about-hunger/ CalFresh. cancer treatments that required trips to the Veterans Affairs I had a conversation in the Humboldt County is a generous Medical Center in San Francisco. Choice Pantry with a woman community. Bearing witness to The support of community who already receives CalFresh, these stories has enabled me to agencies like Food for People and but still depends on the help of grasp how connected we are as the North Coast Veteran’s Resource Food for People to get through neighbors and as partner agencies Center dramatically improved the month. Like many people, that serve those who need a little his living situation and enabled particularly seniors, she lives on extra help. People’s lives can be him to focus more on his health. a fixed income. She told me how dramatically improved when the 20% of households served by much the recent cuts to CalFresh resources are in place for them to Feeding America have a member really hurt her food budget. In access the assistance they need. who has served in the United November 2013, recipients of the People care about each other in States military. For more info, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Humboldt County, and that is access http://help.feedingamerica. Program (the Federal name for how we will become a hunger-free org/HungerInAmerica/hunger-in- CalFresh) were dealt a 5% cut in community. • Photo: Chris Wisner Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 9

Introducing Our HSU Interns! Make New Food for People is happy to announce the launch of our first official intern program, a collaboration with Humboldt State University. Four HSU students Friends, But will join us for the 2014-2015 school year. Their duties will include assisting with food drives, intake, and event planning; leading volunteer orientations; and even running the Arcata Pantry. We are excited to welcome them to the Food for People family. Keep the Old Farewell to Ciel and Harriet Hello! My name is Tiffany. I was Hello, my name is Julian. I am My name is Evonne and I am Hello, my name is Tyree, and born and raised in the beautiful thrilled to be part of the new team a social work student at HSU. I prior to becoming an intern at city of San Francisco. I came into of interns at Food for People. am excited to start interning Food for People, I was a director at Humboldt State University with a At the beginning of this year I at Food For People this year! I Youth Educational Services (YES). nursing major, but due to budget volunteered at Food for People as enjoy working at Food For People While at YES, I coordinated a group cuts, the program was no longer part of an undergraduate social because I have done things that I of volunteers to participate in local available. During my first year work class requirement. Now, I have never had the opportunity to service. In addition, I planned and of college I had a seminar class am fortunate to be able to expand do. They offer me a way to actively managed a service learning trip with professor Ronnie Swartz, the my knowledge and understanding participate in my community. to San Francisco. Following my department chair. He talked a lot of this organization. Although I I like to be involved with the directorship, I became an intern about what he did and he gave me will be primarily based out of the community because I believe an on the HSU campus for the Center insight into what social work was Eureka pantry, I will be assisting act of human kindness can go a for Service learning and Academic all about. Erin Tharp, Food for People's long way. Internships. As a service learning Community Food Programs intern, I get students involved in Growing up, there were times Coordinator, with the Senior and After I graduate, I plan to stay participating in volunteer services Ciel Hoyt where I would have to help my Homebound Food Programs. I active in the field of social work so in the community. One service site family with paper work, translate have thoroughly enjoyed the time I can advocate for issues that need that I get students involved in is Food for People’s outreach things, and explain things. I still I have spent at Food for People, to be addressed within our society. Food for People. team was lucky to have Ciel Hoyt do that today. During my free and look forward to learning Food for People has given me the on board for a little over a year. time, I enjoy volunteering. It's a more about the inner workings opportunity to address hunger I’m most excited about working Her passion for healthy eating fun learning experience to work of this organization as the year issues and actively participate in face to face with clients and doing and her ability to make it delicious and interact with people within progresses. giving people a healthy choice as intake and interviews. Once my and accessible encouraged many the community and to learn to what they want to eat. For this, I internship at Food for People people to try new vegetables. about their stories. I look forward Now for a little bit about me. I will always be grateful to have the ends, I plan on continuing my I once saw children lining up to working and learning about am in my senior year at Humboldt opportunity to be here. • education at a master’s of social for seconds of the kale chips Eureka and Arcata's community State University, and once I work program. It has been my she was demonstrating at our and hopefully I can do my best to graduate, I plan on continuing life-long goal to help people better Mobile Produce Pantry! Ciel will give the support and help people my education by pursuing a law their lives, and the social work be furthering her education in need. degree. My ultimate goal is to profession is the perfect fit. • nutrition so that she can continue become a public defender. I came to spread the gospel of the In five years, I see myself up to Humboldt from Richmond, vegetable. Her sweet smile and with a completed bachelor and California, and although I have positive attitude will be dearly master's degree in social work fallen in love with the Humboldt missed. • and hopefully having a stable culture, I plan to head back down job within the social work south once my time at school field. My dream job would be comes to an end. • creating, working, and/or running a non-profit organization where I can help people within the community: adults, children, adolescents, and elders. •

I want to become a volunteer at Food for People! Call 707-445-3166 or email: Harriet Pecot [email protected]. Or fill out and send in: Food for People considers itself Name: blessed to have had Harriet Pecot Address: as our Fund Development Director City, State, Zip: for the past four and a half years. Her resourcefulness, dedication, Please have someone contact me: and commitment to our cause and Phone: mission were outweighed only by her compassion, caring support, Email: and kindness toward our staff, volunteers, and clients. We bid Clip and mail to: Harriet a fond farewell and wish Food for People, 307 W 14th St., Eureka, CA 95501 her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors. • 10 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County Hunger Action Month Continued from page 1 Suggestions in the calendar (including fresh fruits and for People’s page. Contributors pounds of food last year, and its included favorite documentary vegetables from a home garden). included local teachers, business services reach more than 12,000 people. The California Center films about food insecurity, links The calendar is still available on owners, farmers, doctors, and individuals in Humboldt County for Rural Policy reported in their to interesting children’s books our website at www.foodforpeople. community members, all voicing monthly through 14 different Humboldt County Community about hunger, hunger education org. Click on the Hunger Education how hunger affects them, our programs. Executive Director Anne Food Assessment that more than curriculum for the classroom, tab, and then select Hunger Action community, customers, patients, Holcomb commented, “The first 31% of low-income Humboldt links to food insecurity articles Month. students, and friends, right here in step in addressing any problem County adults experience food and statistics, and creative ideas Humboldt County. in our community is awareness, insecurity, or lack of access to for donating to a food pantry In addition, the food bank which we hope will inspire action. enough food. Households with invited community The #HungerHurts project The activities of Hunger Action children are at particularly high members to participate demonstrates that a wide cross- Month provide opportunities for risk of hunger and experience the in #HungerHurts, section of the community cares both in some very easy steps. We highest poverty rates in the county. a social media about and is affected by hunger hope community members of all Nearly a quarter of Humboldt campaign to raise in Humboldt County, including ages will participate.” County households with children awareness that hunger people you probably know. It under 5 years of age live in poverty, is a community issue displays solidarity amongst people To learn more about hunger in which jumps to 57% in households that hurts everyone. dealing with food insecurity, Humboldt County, visit the new led by a single mother with Individuals from all people taking action on it, Hunger Education section of our children under 5 years of age. over the community and people engaged in the website at www.foodforpeople. participated by liking conversation. Together we are org. • Food for People invited Food for People’s bringing the very large and hidden community members to learn and Facebook page truths of local food insecurity into do something about hunger in and then posting a the open. Humboldt County in September “selfie” photograph through the food bank’s “30 Ways (see photos) holding As the leading hunger relief in 30 Days” calendar of activities for a “#Hunger Hurts” organization in the region, Food Hunger Action Month. statement on Food for People distributed 2.1 million Volunteer Spotlight on Kyle Jacobsen By Philip Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator

Ask any staff member. Kyle a warehouse volunteer, where shop, distributed food to other Jacobsen is an outstanding member he quickly learned the roles and pantries, gleaned food from local of the Food for People team. “He is routines of the job. Soon, his positive farms, worked with our seniors, the embodiment of hard work and attitude, strength, and willingness to and even cooked meals for other a positive attitude. One would rarely do any job was well-known among volunteers. When asked to describe have to ask for his help because the staff. Kyle’s workday started his experience in one word, Kyle he had already taken the initiative early, so it became fairly common said, “Awesome!” He started here to do it!" said Heidi McHugh, our for staff to show up and find the job to better understand warehouse Community Education & Outreach already started. work, but he says he has learned so Coordinator. And Jeff Gupton, our much more. “I’ve learned a lot about Food Distribution Coordinator, Within months, his roles our clients,” explains Kyle, “And I said, “Wait, Kyle was a volunteer? expanded beyond the warehouse love that we are giving back to the But he worked like a member of to other programs within Food for community.” the staff!” Indeed, Kyle was a team People. He interviewed clients in player, always willing to help with a the Choice Pantry and helped them Warehouse Coordinator Desiree positive attitude wherever needed, Hill said, “I have been working with whether with staff, other volunteers, Kyle since day one. Throughout his or clients. time here, he has proven to truly engage in what the Welfare to Work Kyle came to Food for People program has to offer. It’s all about through CalWORKs' Welfare to getting to learn as much as possible. Work program, designed to help Kyle has truly done that and more. families reach self-sufficiency He has been so helpful to everyone.” through employment. Each person participating in the program has a Though his 10-month placement plan unique to his/her situation. The with Food for People ended plan works with local employers, in September, he continues to including nonprofits like Food for volunteer at the warehouse in People. Eureka, in addition to working at his new job on the waterfront. On behalf Between December 2013 of everyone at Food for People, through September 2014, Kyle we thank Kyle for his outstanding logged almost 1,500 hours of contributions. • hard work with us. He started as Kyle Jacobsen Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 11 The Mobile Produce Pantry By Tim Crosby, Mobile Produce Pantry Coordinator

According to the U.S. of social and spatial barriers, this Department of Agriculture's can result in ‘food deserts’ where Food Environment Atlas, 4,400 of residents commonly resort to Humboldt County’s children and purchasing meals at fast food 3,300 of our seniors have limited restaurants and convenience stores or no access to a supermarket or with less than optimal selections of major grocery store. One in six fresh produce. of your neighbors has problems accessing fresh and nutritious This fresh produce is an green produce. important element for maintaining one's health and helping treat diet- That is where the Food For related diseases, including obesity, People Mobile Produce Pantry diabetes, and high blood pressure. comes in. Leafy green vegetables are a rich

access to fruits and vegetables is With the Mobile Produce Our Food For People outreach important to maintaining a healthy Pantry’s free, farm-stand style staff provides on-site information lifestyle. model, residents can ‘shop’ our and assistance with applying for diverse selections, picking what CalFresh, the nutrition assistance It takes creativity to address interests both them and their program that helps income- hunger while improving access families. Delicious and nutritious eligible households stretch food to fresh fruits and vegetables recipes, provided by our Nutrition budgets. With CalFresh, these throughout Humboldt County. Education Outreach staff, help households can afford to purchase Thanks to a network of local introduce ways of preparing healthy foods like fresh fruits partnerships, the Mobile Produce unfamiliar items, and even offer and vegetables from local stores Pantry has been able to deliver new twists on some old standbys. and farmers’ markets throughout nourishment to many specific the rest of the month. We also locations across the county, from Many of our clients report that partner with the Humboldt County the far north to the remote east they eat less fresh produce than Department of Health and Human and all the way to the hamlets of they would like, due to high cost Services (DHHS) and their Mobile Southern Humboldt. Stopping and limited availability. This is Engagement Vehicle (MEV) at in shires large and small, we especially ironic for a state that has the various distribution sites. have set up free farm-stand style the largest agricultural economy Together, both the MEV and the distributions in over a dozen in the United States, and produces Mobile Produce Pantry collaborate With the help of “Izzy” (our 10- source of minerals, B vitamins, and communities where low-income large amounts of high quality fruits to visit sites together on a monthly ton refrigerated Isuzu truck), we even small amounts of Omega-3 residents struggle to access fresh and vegetables for much of the schedule, so that residents can can provide healthier food choices fats. According to the Centers for fruits and vegetables. (Visit our nation and the world. In our last easily access both groups’ services where there is a high need and Disease Control and Prevention, website at www.foodforpeople. fiscal year, the Mobile Produce in one convenient location. • limited resources. As we travel to 1 in 4 Humboldt County residents org/Programs/Mobile-produce- Pantry distributed over 38 tons some of Humboldt’s less accessible are obese, and nearly 1 in 11 are pantry for current schedules and of fresh fruits and vegetables communities, we are able to ensure diagnosed with diabetes. In light locations). throughout the county, with nearly rural clients have a well-rounded of these figures, it's easy to see why 3,600 household visits to our amount of fresh produce and Mobile Produce Pantry. access to much-needed county services. “I don’t have to try and Our prioritizing of fresh produce find a car ride to get to town, and helps to ensure families in need do then haul everything back,” Orick’s not go without this important part Mary Wilde relates. “The produce of their diet. In order to provide is always of a very high quality and fresh and often organic produce, very fresh. It’s the kind you would we source from local Humboldt find in expensive co-ops.” County farms, as well as the statewide Farm To Family program. Launched in July 2012, this In 2011, over 120 million pounds of program provides scheduled low-cost, high-quality produce was distributions in communities obtained this way by food banks where many residents struggle to throughout California. This makes access fresh fruits and vegetables. it possible for us to support our Northern Humboldt County, with local farmers, stretching funding as its rural and geographically diverse far as possible, while still providing environments, can be a very great variety and quality. isolated place. Due to a variety 12 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County Pantry Spotlight: Ferndale and Trinidad By Darci Gibson, Pantry Network Coordinator

Ferndale Community very generous over the years. The Kirby Bay, Wayne Ambrosini, Church Pantry pantry raised over 1,451 pounds of Jonquyl Offord, Shirley Robertson, The Ferndale Food Pantry was food donations in 2013. Donations Judy McDonald, Kim Coates, Janet started by George Nichols, using have been received from the Fisk, Evan Fisk, Cary Perry, Glenda the Ferndale Community Church Ferndale Letter Carriers, FFA Miller, Spencer Koch, Dan Tubbs, building. In 2009, the church car- Ferndale, Village Club of Ferndale, Nicholas Fisk, Ezra Janney, and ried on the work of the pantry 4H Ferndale, Catholic Women’s Nancy Singley. led by the pastor and two vol- Guild, Valley Grocery, US Bank, unteers—Margaretta Batten and and North Valley Bank. Over the Trinidad Lion’s Club Pantry Shirley Robertson—who still serve years, the pantry has also received Trinidad’s food pantry was regularly. Over the years they have generous monetary donations started in the 1980s by a generous added new volunteers, both from from community organizations pair of ladies, Ella Hardisan and within the church and in the com- such as the Ferndale Chamber Betty Smith. Initially, it was very munity at large. There are 6-10 vol- of Commerce, Ferndale Kiwanis, small and operated out of a closet unteers who help with the pantry North Valley Bank, Ferndale Lion’s in Betty Smith’s home. After over a every month. Club, and Wells Fargo Advisors. The decade of community support, Ella funds have enabled the Ferndale and Betty’s health forced them to When the church took over the Pantry to purchase much needed retire and leave the fate of the pan- Ferndale Pantry pantry, we served 32 households, equipment, as well as supplemen- try in the hands of the community. volunteers representing 69 individuals, in the tal food and hygiene products for Lore and Barbara Snell and Alida Margaretta Batten and first month. The pantry has con- those in need. and Luone Harkins stepped up Sean Peifer. tinued to grow, now reaching 59 and partnered with Vick Tayor, the households, or 154 individuals (per Food distributions occur on the Lion’s Club president, to keep the month on average in 2013). This third Thursday every month from pantry running. represents about 10% of the popu- 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Emergency lation in the Ferndale area. food boxes are also provided Through the years the Lion’s any time as needed via Ferndale Club has been instrumental in Although Food for People pro- Community Church. keeping the pantry running in vides monthly deliveries of non- Trinidad. The Club’s volunteer perishables for the pantry, the Thank you to volunteers team provides supplemental food Ferndale community itself has Margaretta Batten, Sean Peifer, to an average of 54 families, or 115 b e e n individuals a month.

This represents nearly 30% of the population in the Trinidad area. The Trinidad community pro- vides a lot of support to the pantry Ferndale Pantry volunteers every year. Local food drives and Kirby Bay and Wayne Murphy’s Market store donations Ambrosini fill and hand out help the Lion’s Club supplement the USDA bags and help non-perishable foods provided people carry them to their monthly by Food for People. cars. Trinidad Garden Club has also do- nated produce over the years. They have also received monetary dona- tions and grants via the Humboldt Area Foundation, St. Martha and Mary’s Foundation, Trinidad Trading Company, and Barbara and Lore Snell to help purchase food and much needed equipment.

Food distributions occur the third Wednesday of every month from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Emergency food boxes are also provided any time as needed via Trinidad City Hall. Trinidad Pantry volunteers. Front row: Barbara Snell, Nelda Thank you to volunteers George Bell, Martha Davis, Penny Cozens, Ed and Penny Ross, Chuck Ross. Back row: Chuck Bell, Bill and Nelda Bell, Bill Nelson, Martha Nelson, Ed Ross. Other volunteers Davis, Barbara Snell, Loren Parker, not pictured: George Cozens Mike Pinske, and Suzanne Atiyeh. (coordinator), Loren Park, Mike • Pinske, Suzanne Atiyeh, Bertha Herd. Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 13

In Memory Of In Honor Of Welcome, Cassandra! Anna Bender All Who Suffer From Starvation We're very excited to welcome What are the biggest nutritional Cassandra Culps, Food for People's challenges facing people on Aunt Gladys Carl Chatfield new CalFresh Nutrition Education limited incomes? Access to low Coordinator. We asked Cassandra cost or free produce is probably B.J. Diane Anderson’s Birthday a few questions to help you get to the biggest nutritional challenge know her. people with limited incomes face. Camille Rand Harriet Pecot Sadly, the cheapest food is often Your title is sort of long and the unhealthiest. Processed foods Carol Myers Jan Perrone complex. Can you give us the may stretch the dollar but are low simplified version? One who in the nutrients needed for living Charles DiCostanzo Lilach Assayag helps others make healthier food/ a life of quality. Fruits, vegetables, drink choices. eggs, and unprocessed meat and Carolyn Regan Maggie Gainer cheese are better choices but tend What interests and experiences to be more expensive. Cassandra Culps David Rudin Nancy Reichard brought you to this position? As an inner city teacher, I saw first- What do you think is the biggest We often talk about the hidden Diane L. Santigo Sally hand the effects of hunger and fallacy about hunger and food epidemic of hunger in this food insecurity. Without access insecurity in our community? country. What can people do Donna York The Hart & Buckley Families to balanced meals and snacks, my The biggest fallacy, in my opinion, to SEE the hunger and food students’ academics suffered. I is probably that hungry people insecurity around us? Begin by Edith Watson Virginia Holt began teaching my students what don’t “look” hungry or starving. watching the 2013 documentary healthy food choices are, hands- There is a difference between being “A Place at the Table” with your Edward N. Pugh W. McCord on cooking lessons, gardening starving for food and starving family and visiting www.takepart. and sharing recipes. An educator for nutrients. Many people who com/hunger to learn more about Florence & Howard Mayer at heart, I realized I could have a experience hunger and food the number of Americans who live much bigger impact in people’s insecurity are starved for nutrients. with food insecurity. Hunger and Jack Mays lives through sharing the power For example, I may only have $3 to food insecurity affects people from of good nutrition. I have both feed dinner to my family of four. $3 birth into old age from all walks of Margaret Brundino worked and volunteered with goes a lot further on a processed life. Volunteer at Food for People, other local organizations that food item than in the produce donate your extra garden produce, Sam Brown focus on nutrition education department. When faced with or schedule a Hunger 101 class at and outreach. My passion is to that hard choice of purchasing two your workplace. • Shirley Rische help others make healthier food apples or filling bellies with poor choices for themselves and their quality food, filling bellies will win Vivian Zimmerman families. every time.

Tributes, Memorials & Gift Contributions We would like to sincerely thank way to celebrate and/or honor the the friends and family of those who memory of someone you love. have made donations in honor and in memory of others. Your If you would like to make a generous donations go a long way donation in someone’s name for a toward helping the 12,000 people birthday, special event, or holiday, (and more) we feed each month, we can do that too! We will let them including children, seniors and know a generous donation has working families in need. been made in their name. Just be sure to include the address of the You can honor a friend or family individual so we can send them a member by making a donation card to let them know about your to Food for People. Simply add a gift. notation to your donation. If you include an address, we’ll send We are always happy to know a an acknowledgement to that bit more about the folks for whom person to let them know about you are making donations in honor the donation in their name or the or memory. Let us know if you name of their loved one. You can would like to include a photo or also let us know if there is a favorite briefly tell their story and why you program of theirs and we’ll make wish to honor your friend or family sure the donation goes to their member and we will publish it in program of choice. It is a great our newsletter. • 14 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County The Choice Pantry Farmers’ Market Salsa By Jeff Gupton, Food Distribution Coordinator Ingredients When I first began at Food were using a large, flat table for my vision for the Choice Pantry. For People, I brought with me a our produce, and the main topic Once we decided on a final design, ½ cup cooked, fresh corn fairly extensive background with of conversation from our clients we purchased the materials, 1 cup local, heirloom tomatoes, diced wholesale and retail produce, was that they could not see or and in only a few days, the EHS 1 cup summer squash, diced learning all I know from my father. reach all the items on the table. I Woodshop had our dream racks ½ cup onion, diced Many people say it’s in my blood. immediately sharpened my pencil, built! To me, this was proof positive 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice I immediately fell in love with the put my produce experience to that the Humboldt community Chopped cilantro, optional idea of distributing fresh fruits work and sketched out a few ideas. is truly in tune with each other Salt and pepper to taste and vegetables alongside the and are willing to come together other food items we have in our In April of this year, I reached without hesitation. I would like Directions Choice Pantry. But I was raised out to David Stevens, the to personally thank Mr. David that presentation is everything, Woodshop teacher at Eureka High Stevens and the Spring 2014 EHS Combine ingredients in a bowl and toss to mix together! and whether it’s a grocery store School. Using my sketches as a Woodshop for helping us with this Put over fish, eggs, or on a tortilla chip. Enjoy! or a food pantry, we should be basis, Mr. Stevens and I began an wonderful project. • displaying our wares in a more email dialogue about how to build accessible fashion. At the time we a set of racks that would achieve

AmazonSmile is another way to support the food bank. Whenever you shop on Amazon, start your shopping at www.smile.amazon.com. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Food for People. Call us at (707) 445-3166 extension 306 if you have questions!

side with them. It's true that I work and we all have a part to play road I could take to get to a special our past, and help us understand Welcome, upstairs from the warehouse, in addressing it if we have the place near Petrolia, and how I ourselves better. As a culture it but because we have a pantry on resources to do so. should pack a lunch if I went. Our seems we have overlooked the Amelia! site and a very active group of elderly and homebound neighbors contributions they still have to dedicated volunteers, my work What was your first impression are often isolated by limited make, and we don't do enough to We're very pleased to welcome takes place in the context of our of the food bank during your first mobility, which is compounded ensure they have a good quality Amelia Boulware, Food for direct services to the community. week on the job? I was and still by or a direct result of limited of life. People's new Fund Development am moved by the leadership and resources. They are the link to Director. We asked Amelia a few What interests and experiences integrity of my co-workers. There is As someone new to the area, questions to help you get to know drew you to your position at so much hard work and ingenuity what are some of your favorite her. Food for People? Many things here—we get a lot done without things about Humboldt County intersected to bring me here! anything to spare. so far? The temperate climate What do you do at Food for But the most tangible one and being closer to nature. There People? I manage the fund-raising was picking up a copy of the As you spend time shadowing are so many ways to spend time projects that help keep Food for newsletter before I knew of the and learning about staff outdoors! But being out of the big People operational. That sounds job opening. I read every article. coordinators’ programs, what city also makes our human impact a little dry, but it's dynamic I loved how all the staff members are some of the experiences that on the environment more visible work that includes community wrote articles about their work. stand out? The day I delivered to me, and that reminds me of the outreach as well as project I noticed how they talked about groceries to our elderly community role that culture plays in creating management and development food insecurity—the words they members, I talked with a woman food insecurity. Things seem strategy. Food for People is a very used, their appreciation of the living alone in her own house with plainer here, more plainly visible. collaborative work environment, issues underlying food insecurity, her cat. She had just celebrated her I really value that, even if it's also so I get to share ideas with my how it's not an us versus 90th birthday. She told me stories challenging to me. • co-workers and learn from them. them situation. It's a community of working in a box factory as a They've invited me to work side by situation, a cultural situation, young woman. She told me about a Amelia Boulware Donate online at www.foodforpeople.org October 2014 15 Service Club Collaboration Helps Funds Child Nutrition Program for 2014-2015 By Amelia Boulware, Fund Development Director

Did you know that kids who are hungry or who don’t have access to nutritious foods find it harder to concentrate in school? School outcomes often correlate with quality of life for adults. Households with children are at particularly high risk of hunger and experience the highest poverty rates in Humboldt County.

Food for People wishes to thank the Rotary Clubs of Eureka, Old Town, and Southwest Eureka; Lost Coast Rotaract; and Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay for their fundraising commitment to Food for People’s Child Nutrition Program, Backpacks for Kids. Through their Rhody Roundup Backpacks Buddy Night on April 25—a catered dinner with live music, fun activities, silent auction, and the raffle that concluded on August 26—they netted $25,000 for the Backpacks program. This important program provides a backpack of nutritious food on Fridays during the school year for children who are considered at risk for hunger over the weekend. Above: Raffle day at Old Town Rotary Meeting, 8/26/14. From left to right: Marty Lay, Southwest Rotary; Karen Lorenzo, Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay; Anne Holcomb, Executive Director, Food for People; Kim Brown, Old Town Rotary; Harold Hilfiker, President, Old Town Rotary; A very special thank you goes to John Bradley, Eureka Rotary and Food for People volunteer. Raffle winners were Chris Jones of McKinleyville (Dalianes travel voucher) and Sharon John Bradley, who retired from Redd of Eureka (Pierson’s gift certificate.) the Rotary Club of Eureka in August, for his hunger advocacy and dedicated leadership of the Backpacks fundraising. We also wish to thank the generous Rotarians, Soroptimists, and community members whose ongoing contributions make this program possible. Additional thanks to Rotarians in Arcata, Fortuna, and Garberville for their support. •

Please visit our website at www.foodforpeople.org for more information about all of our programs; staff contact information; hunger education information and resources; copies of past newsletters and annual reports; healthy recipes; Left: Anne Holcomb, Executive Director of Food for People, and more. with raffle winner Chris Jones. Above: John Bradley gets the backpack foods ready for distribution to kids. 16 Food Notes The Newsletter of Food for People, the Food Bank for Humboldt County Know Your Farmer: Paul Giuntoli, Warren Creek Farms By Laura Hughes, Local Food Resources Coordinator

Driving to the eastern property man, Paul is a soft-spoken, kind- animals at the ripe old age of of Warren Creek Farms on a sunny hearted, and approachable guy nine, and starting his own farming day to pick up a hefty gleaning with a twinkle in his eye. Together operation in 1987. His early crops donation, I follow Warren Creek with his wife Carla, their faithful consisted mostly of potatoes, Road along the Mad River toward dog Tilley, and their rowdy field eventually building up over time Blue Lake. As the van nears the crew, they run Warren Creek to grow a little bit of everything. farm, the dirt road previously Farms. I had a chance to catch lined with trees and houses dips up with Paul and his field crew Warren Creek Farms actually down into the Mad River valley, leader, Tyler, at Paul’s Live from consists of several smaller pieces unfolding in a breathtakingly New York after Farmers' Market of land (hence the plural “Farms” beautiful scene before me. The one day recently to talk about in the name), including their cattle pastures, apple orchards, his experience in the farming aforementioned property at the row crops, and old barn come into community, and working with end of Warren Creek Road, as well view, and I pull up to the barn to Food for People. as several properties adjacent load several hundred pounds of to one another in the Arcata cauliflower to be donated to the It’s not hard to understand Bottoms, about one mile east of North Coast Growers’ Association Paul and his crew go through the food bank. In the distance, small how Paul became a farmer. His Mad River Beach. Passersby are Arcata Plaza Farmers Market produce cooler on a regular basis figures are working to harvest corn mother’s side of the family has likely most familiar with these on Saturdays, as well as their to clear out extra product and for the farmers' market. It's an been in Humboldt since 1909 and properties on Mad River Road, public farm stand and pumpkin make room for freshly-harvested idyllic scene for a hard-working operated a dairy farm. His father’s where Warren Creek Farms’ patch in October. They also items. Rather than tossing Humboldt County farm. side of the family started farming annual and much-loved pumpkin sell produce wholesale to the extra produce into the compost, in Bayside in 1919 as Giuntoli patch and corn maze can be found North Coast Co-op, Wildberries Paul says, “Just call Laura!” He Farmer Paul Giuntoli is a Brothers Produce. Several years and enjoyed by the public each Marketplace, Eureka Natural remarks that my familiarity and well-known fixture in the local later, the Giuntoli brothers moved October. Foods, Ray’s, Murphy’s Markets, connection with the farmers agricultural community, and up onto Giuntoli Lane, where several local restaurants, and is a large part of the donation serves as the board president Paul’s grandfather opened an Of Warren Creek Farms’ Veritable Vegetable out of the Bay arrangement and that we make it of the North Coast Growers inn and restaurant on the farm. 194 certified organic acres, Area. Warren Creek Farms also easy for him. Association Farmers’ Markets. Paul says he’s been farming all approximately 45-50 acres are works occasionally with Food for Despite being a rather busy his life, owning his first dairy cultivated annually. The other People to provide local purchases When I ask Paul why he farms, properties are left fallow or grazed of produce for our distribution he chuckles and says, “it’s easier by other local ranchers and programs, including potatoes and than banging your head against a dairymen, such as the farmers in cauliflower. wall.” We laugh, and he continues. the bottoms who produce milk “Most folks who farm, farm for Horizon Organic Dairy. This In addition to these marketing because it’s what they’re cut out arrangement allows fields to outlets, Paul regularly donates to do. It’s not an easy occupation, rest while building soil fertility, excess crops to Food for People. but it’s real, it’s tangible, and affording a 6- to 7-year rotation When I ask why he feels it’s something everyone needs.” of fields for vegetable crop it’s important to donate, Paul Thank you Paul Giuntoli for your production. remarks, “because it does more warm heart and generosity. We good for people than for cows,” at Food for People are grateful Warren Creek Farms’ main and then adds, “although cows fed to have such a leader in our crops include potatoes, dried organic produce are very tasty.” agricultural community. • beans, winter squash, and sweet He goes on to explain that excess corn, plus 80 or so more produce is a resource that costs varieties of vegetables and fruits. very little other than time to divert Their main marketing outlets from the waste stream, so it just include direct marketing through makes sense to feed it to people.