Approve agreement with the Yolo Food Bank using American Rescue Plan funds in the amount of $125,000 for the period of October 25, 2022, through December 31, 2024, to assist in the operations of the Kids Farmers Market program during a time when need across the general distribution increased by 15% due to the pandemic. (No general fund impact) (Pinedo/York)

American Rescue Plan Background
On September 28, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the initial American Rescue Plan (ARP) Expenditure Plan, which included $3,000,000 for projects under the Food Security priority category. At the October 25, 2022, Board meeting, Staff presented funding recommendations to allocate the remaining $1.3 million in the Food Security category. The Board expressed support for funding the Yolo Food Bank. Staff has worked with the Yolo Food Bank to develop the final contract, which is recommended for approval with this staff report. Additional information on the scope of the contract with the Yolo Food Bank and performance measures are described below.

Yolo Food Bank- Kids Farmers Market
Funding this contract with the Yolo Food Bank (YFB) will assist in the operations of the Kids Farmers Market (KFM) program during a time the food bank has seen the need across the general distributions increase by 15% in the wake of the pandemic. The Kids Farmers Market Program of Yolo Food Bank is one of the most popular and successful programs. With this ARP funding, they are looking to take the signature program for children's food security to the next level by also tying in aspects of agricultural worker food security. Collaboration, innovation, and alignment with all aspects of the Yolo County 2020-2025 Strategic Plan are what make up this project proposal.

First, with this ARP funding, the food bank plans on expanding into the Agricultural Food Security space by expanding the KFM program and distributions to all the Migrant Camps and Centers throughout Yolo County. These migrant centers are an essential service, as many of their food system workers are able to leave their children at these facilities to be taken care of and educated while their parents head to the fields for a long day harvesting the food we eat. Bringing the existing KFM program to the children in these migrant camps will tremendously impact their nutrition, education, and health. Ensuring that the children of the food system workers are taken care of helps ensure a flourishing agricultural system and further adds to having thriving residents throughout Yolo County.

The food bank also plans on collaborating with many new and impactful partners. Fiery Ginger Farm will be helping them pilot a new program that will create a "farm to school" experience. Rather than donating directly to the Food Bank, Fiery Ginger will be dropping off produce directly to the KFM sites at the schools. This will encourage stronger agricultural partnerships with a focus on small, diverse, and local farmers. The food bank has also been contacted by the Office of the California Governor. First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom wishes to support the program in this new iteration and plans on coming out to volunteer at KFM distributions, which will be a great PR not only for YFB but for Yolo County. They are also in the midst of a major expansion of the KFM program as it has been so successful that Woodland Joint Unified School District has asked that they expand to 6 more of their schools, bringing the total KFM sites to 18. YFB would also like to invest funds in purchasing reusable bags for students, to incentivize them to start being more environmentally conscious and aware. Purchasing produce specifically for the children served is crucial as kids have specific and unique needs. The food bank also plans on investing in more culturally appropriate foods for the children of the Ag workers and beyond.

The desired outcome for this project contract is to sustain and revise how to best serve elementary-school-aged children and their families throughout Yolo County, including expanding the operations to children and families in migrant centers and families of food system workers in general. The performance measures associated with this project include tracking how many people were served, how many pounds of food was distributed, and if food insecure residents negatively impacted by COVID-19 feel more secure when it comes to food insecurity by participating in the program. More information about this contract, including a statement of work, budget, and performance measures, may be found in Attachment A.

No competitive bid is required. The countywide ARP funds were allocated as part of the Board's FY2021-22 budget hearing on September 28, 2021. The Board provided direction on the remaining Food Security ARP fund allocation at the October 25, 2022, Board meeting.