Foodlink Agency Member Newsletter: April 2015

April 2015

Quick Links

In This Issue

Annual Meeting

EFP Announcements

Schedule Reminders

Agency Spotlight

CMATS

Food Access

Grant Opportunity

Hope on Tap Fundraiser

Upcoming Trainings

Your Agency Services Team

Kim Floeser

Agency Services Associate

585-328-3380 x128

Morgan McKenzie

Food Bank Programs Coordinator

585-328-3380 x129

email

Phil Daniel

Agency Services Coordinator

585-328-3380 x117

Matt Knaub

Director, Food Bank Operations

585-328-3380 x155

email

Laura Sugarwala

Nutrition Resource Manager

585-328-3380 x151

email

FAX: 585-464-0497

Foodlink Social Media

April is....

We thank the thousands of volunteers that walk through Foodlink's door each year.

Thank you also to the volunteers at our partner organizations!

Please plan to join the Foodlink Staff for the Annual Community Food Meeting

This is an opportunity to refresh on policies and procedures, hear about what's upcoming in the next fiscal year, and network with other providers.

Official invitations, including tentative agendas and RSVP information, will be sent by April 17th

Emergency Agency Announcements

Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) applications for the 2015-2016 grant year will be released April 15th. Please check your email or PWW for the application and guidelines.

Important Upcoming Dates in May

Open every day in April!
May 1: Closed for All Staff Meeting (No pick ups. Alternate delivery date April 30th)
May 14th: Day of Caring (large volunteer event). Foodlink is open, however parking lot crowding may be an issue so it is advisable to choose another pick up day at Foodlink
May 25th: Closed for Memorial Day (Alternate delivery day May 26th)

APRIL

AGENCY SPOTLIGHT:

Run for a Cause....

Jewish Family Service of Rochester (JFS) held the Brighton Believes 5K Race to benefit Brighton Food Cupboard (BFC) and Brighton Your Wardrobe (BYW) programs on Sunday, June 22, 2014 in Meridian Centre Park in Brighton. JFS partnered with the Brighton Central School District to organize the race. The goal was to raise awareness and funds for these important basic needs programs.

The race was a great success! JFS raised $13,000 to support the programs and had 250 people participate in the run/walk. Many others attended to cheer on their friends and family members who were running or walking.

The 2nd Annual Brighton Believes 5K is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2015. This year there is an additional fun costume component (run or walk while dressed as a "fashionista" or food item) with prizes. Brighton athletic teams are encouraged to participate as a group! Participants will be encouraged to bring food items to donate on the day of the race. JFS is hoping for even more participants and donations this year.

For more information, or to register for the race, go to http://jfsrochester.org/Default.aspx?RD=3898.

Brighton Food Cupboard is a Foodlink Member Agency. Brighton Food Cupboard is located at 220 Idlewood Rd, Rochester NY 14618. For more information about the Cupboard, contact Esti Kilimnick at [email protected].

Foodlink is excited to offer our Cooking Matters at the Store program in all 10 service counties this year

This interactive grocery store tour empowers low-income families to stretch their food budgets so their children get healthy meals at home. Participants learn to find whole grains, buy fruits and vegetables on a budget, compare unit prices, and read food labels.

For an updated calendar of public store tours please visit Foodlinkny.org or if you're interested in scheduling a store tour in your area please contact Emily Smallwood: [email protected]

Upcoming Tours:

Wednesday April 8

4-5:30 pm

West's Shurfine

8565 Main Street

Honeoye, NY 14471

Tuesday April 21

7-8:30 pm

Tops Friendly Markets

175 Winton Rd N

Rochester, NY 14610

**Please check our Store Tour Calendar for all our upcoming tours at Foodlink's website**

FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS

Curbside Market and Urban Farm Stands

In 2014 Curbside Market sold over 100,000 pounds of local produce at 50 locations. Plans include increasing the number of stops in 2015. This year, the truck will travel to Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Orleans, Livingston, and Genesee Counties.

The Urban Farm Stands sell fresh, affordable produce to under-served communities and provide nutrition education for customers.

If you and your agency would like to receive promotional material for the Curbside Market and Urban Farm Stands, or if you have a site that would be a strong fit for either program, please contact Maddy Smith: [email protected] 328-3380 X 142

Community Store Initiative hosts Cooking Matters at the Store

In April, Foodlink's nutrition education team hosted its first Cooking Matters at the Store tour at Stop One Meat Market, one of Foodlink's Community Stores. Participants learned how to navigate the small store and find affordable fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and whole grains. We hope to continue hosting store tours to help individuals shop for healthy food on a budget.

SUMMER MEALS MINI-GRANTS

Summer meals mini-grant applications are being accepted to increase the number of children and youth served and/or increase the number of days that Summer Meals are provided. Applications must be postmarked by June 2, 2015.

Click here: RACF Grant System and choose "Summer Meals Capacity Building- Mini-grant Request for Proposals"

Foodlink Trainings

Updated Every Month

Please note May 11th as the training date. This is a change from the usual 3rd Monday.

New Shopper Orientation:

April 20th & May 11th; 9:30-10:30 am

Please note: Both classes will focus on using the new Online Ordering system. In order to shop at Foodlink staff and/or volunteers from your agency must attend this class.

HPNAP 101:

April 20th & May 11th; 10:45-11:45 am

What is HPNAP? What is covered by HPNAP grants? What does donated and purchased HPNAP mean? What is required of my agency to receive HPNAP grants? If you cannot answer these questions then HPNAP 101 is for you. Whether you have been at your emergency food program for years or you are brand new, this class will be beneficial to all. In addition to learning all about this essential grant, you will also learn about other grants and resources available to you as an emergency food program.

Basic Food Safety:

April 20th & May 11th; 12-1:30 pm;

The class will cover basic food safety information for pantries and programs that prepare food on site. A staff member or volunteer who has completed this training must be on site during food usage. Certificates are good for one year and fulfill the HPNAP and agency membership food safety training requirement. All agency staff and volunteers are invited at no cost.

Level 1/ ServSafe Food Manager Certification:

May 4th & 5th; 11:30 am - 4:30 pm both days

Cost: $125 includes book and exam. National Restaurant Association curriculum.

For Class Registration: Contact Laura Sugarwala [email protected]

***To register for classes: Please contact

Laura Sugarwala: [email protected] or (585) 328-3380 x 151

All classes are located at 1999 Mt. Read Blvd, Rochester NY, unless otherwise noted. ***

Mission :

To end hunger and to leverage the power of of food to build a healthier community.

Vision: A healthy, hunger free community.