Posted in Events by .
2012 is already shaping up to be an exciting year. The operations staff has bee handling a record number of orders with fewer employees than last year. The Programs Department is on a roll. Our stats are almost completely updated. And the Mac Off in January was magnificent.
Mac Off was uber successful in part thanks to the bubbly Emcee skills of Kathleen Carr. She kept the event on schedule and charmed guests with her personality. In 2011, she contributed 214 hours of her time to Food Bank of South Jersey. One of her proudest achievements to date has been entering about 5,000 accounts into the Hope Mobile database (To date, 10,984 households have been entered). Thanks to her speedy fingers, these people received their Hope Mobile membership cards promptly.
Kathleen Carr was born in New Jersey, went to school in New Jersey, and works in New Jersey! She is a true South Jersey Girl! Kathleen is a proud graduate of St. John’s Catholic grammar school, Collingswood High School, and Rutgers University, Camden where she obtained a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Policy. She is a proud Human Resources generalist with work experience in the NJ Court System, NJ Library System and several NJ Executive Branch Departments – when she is not volunteering.
The loves of her life are her husband Frank, the three funniest cats in NJ – Bob, John-David and William – along with Twilight (Team-Edward), chocolate, potatoes and scrapple (remember born in Jersey). Always trying to find ways to increase the joy in her life, she reminds herself that “what we don’t feed becomes weak and dies”. Don’t feed the negativity around you. Since becoming part of FBSJ the statement also keeps her focused on the larger community-meaning the statement holds: The responsibility to feed our South Jersey community whether it be with food, prayers or laughter.
Posted in Food Bank of SJ Policy by .
We’re back with an entry in our What to Read Wednesday series! Here’s what’s happening on the policy and opinion fronts:
In January this year, the Wall Street Journal ran an article called “The Myth of Starving Americans.” In response, Feeding America’s CEO, Vicki Escarra, and Howard Buffett wrote to the publication’s editor. Together they disect author Warren Kozak’s claims and reveal them to present biased judgments that ignore inconvenient reports and studies. Read the tempered rebutal here.
We’ve started talking about the Farm Bill recently. This legislation comes up for reauthorization every 5 years. Congress must vote on an extension or reauthorization by September 30, this year. The bill covers Many facets of food- and farm-related policy. It sets the stage for the future of subsidies, energy policy, emergency support, and the food assistance programs that are extremely important to the network of food banks across the country. Food Stamps are in for a chop, even though:
[a] record 46.3 million people, more than one of every six Americans, received assistance in November, the department said earlier this month. Expenditures for SNAP and related programs, the department’s biggest budgetary item, would fall 0.9 percent to $87.4 billion in fiscal 2013, as the economy improves and the number of recipients declines, Vilsack said [Monday].
Our conversation has covered Feeding America’s priorities and an examination of the assumptions at work in Farm Bill debates. Read more & weigh in.
Photo frm EatingWell.com
After those heavy topics and with National Nutrition Month on the horizon, let’s talk about heart health. Well, we don’t really have to, because EatingWell.com already has with the Heart Health Challenge. It’s good to talk about these health issues while we can still take some control of behavior that might increase the risk of heath disease, diabetes, etc.
Posted in Food Food Bank of SJ by .
One of the perks of having a chef around is that we at the Food Bank of South Jersey sometimes have the opportunity to EAT the yummy results of his work. Below, check out the first in a series of cooking demo videos from our resident chef, Mike Sicinski.
Posted in Policy by .
As discussed earlier, the Feeding America network wants to ensure that nutrition programs like SNAP and TEFAP are protected in the upcoming Farm Bill legislation. These programs were created and exist to ensure the welfare of low-income American families. Their funding is essential during this country’s slow recovery, which is seeing few signs of revitalization among individuals themselves.
Some people balk at “welfare” like it’s an evil word and support strict limits on government assistance programs. But let’s keep in mind another aspect of the Farm Bill: The bill subsidizes corporate giants that produce corn and soy. While farm subsidies were originally created to ease effects of the Great Depression on American families & farmers, today’s industrial food system is harmful to the environment and promotes the opposite of healthy eating. John Reganold, lead author of a recent paper published in Science magazine titled “Transforming U.S. Agriculture,” told The Huffington Post, “If mainstream, conventional farming systems were sustainable, then we would not have overdrawn aquifers, eroded and degraded soils, and polluted surface and ground waters.”
Instead, as Mark Bittman, journalist & food writer for the New York Times, wrote: “wealthy growers are paid even in good years, and may receive drought aid when there’s no drought. It’s become so bizarre that some homeowners lucky enough to have bought land that once grew rice now have subsidized lawns.” Subsidies prop up ethanol energy, even though it’s not very efficient, and the production of high fructose corn syrup, which is present in a huge number of processed foods and can contribute to diabetes & obesity.
How Food Subsidies Tax Our Health, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
So, on the one hand we have a bill failing to support the people it should support. On the other hand we have the same bill pouring money into wealthy industries of agribusiness. Meanwhile, I often see people criticizing others for not having the willpower and self-control to resist mass-produced, over-processed foods marketed by giant corporations. While I myself have a firm foot in the personal responsibility camp, I can’t help but wonder what kind of warped & magnified notion these critics have of themselves. They expect each individual to fight millions of dollars of advertising, developed by hundreds of expert marketers for enormous corporations with large lobbies, focused on infiltrating his subconscious, targeting his desires & thought processes, on his own? It sounds like a fight that is beyond unfair.
Especially with the many complex issues in today’s world and tight personal budgets, how do these critics expect each consumer to follow trendy, foodie news, track the source of all the meat he buys, and ignore the flashy appeal of Sonic, Starbucks, or Starburst candies? Yes, it is possible, but can’t we all demand some policy that protects our interests against the money-fueled forces at play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Wouldn’t that be preferable to welfare for corporations?
No one person can force such huge changes as we’re talking about here, but an aggregate force of individual efforts can. We vote with our dollars; we vote at the ballots. We influence our friends and families with open, inquisitive conversations. We influence our representatives with repetitive, focused communication about our goals and expectations. Democracy doesn’t come cheap—in terms of time, money, and effort. It often costs the most for those who can’t afford to take a break from 3 jobs, a family of 4, bills & debt, and life in general.
So all I’m saying is… maybe those of us who have benefited from the perks of Democracy should buy back in and get more involved, instead of snubbing people working hard to get by.
Resources:
Farm Bill 2012: Time For An Overhaul With Innovative Farming Systems, The Huffington Post
Don’t End Agricultural Subsidies, Fix Them, New York Times
Why are we propping up corn production, again?, Grist
Iowa Farm Bureau: end direct payments
The Bad Food News of 2011
Why the Farm Bill Matters, The Huffington Post
Recovery.gov
High Fructose Corn Syrup: How Dangerous Is It?
Agriculture & Health Policies in Conflict, Physicians Committee for Responsible Health
Posted in Policy South Jersey by .
Mike Keefe, Denver Post, 2008
Maybe the Farm Bill should be renamed the Farm & Food Bill, because it impacts every American in some way.
Last week I attended a Feeding America webinar about the status of the Farm Bill that is due to be reauthorized this year. The Farm Bill is a massive piece of legislation that impacts not just lending to farmers, but also food exports, subsidies, research, energy promotion, disaster assistance, nutrition entitlements, and more. It is this last item on which Feeding America is focused.
Nutrition entitlements mean our national nutrition programs, including SNAP (food stamps) and TEFAP (the Emergency Food Assistance Program). With demands to make cuts of $23 billion from the Farm Bill, Feeding America aims to keep these programs protected. The national organization proposes to create a trigger that ties TEFAP funding to unemployment, since unemployment numbers more accurately relate to food insecurity than poverty numbers. That is, as unemployment increases, so would TEFAP funding.
The Feeding America network also opposes all proposals to cap or reduce funding for SNAP. It is against further restrictions on eligibility. Feeding America encourages the restoration of funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, which increased the number of people who could participate in the food stamp program.
To put this in perspective, food from TEFAP made up more than 60% of the poundage received by Food Bank of South Jersey in 2011. Our state has one of the lowest rates of participation in SNAP, although many are eligible. With over 170,000 food insecure people in our area, that number is likely to increase with more cuts and restrictions on these imperative programs.
Those are just the numbers in New Jersey. What about the other 49 states? When you begin to think about all these people, it becomes clear how adjusting the name of a bill to say “Food and Farm Bill” might be beneficial, might get people to listen a little more closely. And it wasn’t my idea; lots of better-informed people in more respected positions than my own have supported the name change.
To learn how you can help protect important nutrition programs in the U.S. Farm Bill, visit Feeding America’s Farm Bill 2012: Time For An Overhaul With Innovative Farming Systems, The Huffington Post
Don’t End Agricultural Subsidies, Fix Them, New York Times
Why are we propping up corn production, again?, Grist
Iowa Farm Bureau: end direct payments
Chris Cerf, acting Education Commissioner for NJ, said on Wednesday, “you can’t learn if you’re hungry.”
In a state with one of the lowest school breakfast program participation rates, Cerf was making an effort to encourage NJ schools to make access easier for kids. And the obstacle is not so much cost–although the state eliminated its $3M subsidy for the program, the federal reimbursements cover most of it–as it is implementation.
Hopefully our schools can learn how to open up the school breakfast program from other states that have been more successful– And there are 45 more successful states.
Resources:
Posted in Events South Jersey by .
Inde Blue serving up spinach mac & cheese samosa w/ tomato raisin chutney
Food Bank of South Jersey hosted this year’s Mac Off at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom. It was a classy setting for a class act event that was made possible by all the volunteer and community support received. Almost 1,000 people came out for the event.
What started two years ago as a small competition among neighborhood chefs challenging each other to craft the best macaroni and cheese has grown into a broader community event bringing people out to mingle, eat, and support the food bank mission to ward off hunger.
14 chefs from 12 restaurants participated in this year’s Mac Off. Included this year were Aunt Berta’s, Bistro di Marino, Blackbird, blueplate, Famous Dave’s, Inde Blue, Little Beef’s, That’s Amore, The Pop Shop, Tortilla Press, Tortilla Press Cantina, West Side Gravy, Whole Foods Marlton, and our very own Chef Mike from FBSJ’s Cooking Matters program.
At 4:55 on Monday, I stood in the ballroom wondering what had been forgotten. There is always something. This time it was the music. Upon peeking into the entrance, I realized dozens of people had already arrived. Were the chefs ready? Would there be enough food? Would people enjoy themselves?
We opened the doors. A friend rushed in with the missing CDs. A crowd washed into the ballroom. Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington floated into the air. It had begun.
Emcee for the night was a regular volunteer here at FBSJ named Kathy. She always has a smile and has helped enter more than 10,000 accounts into the Hope Mobile database. (Someone should sponsor this lady for every entry to makes!) She kept guests on their toes with announcements about raffle prizes, available beverages, hunger stats, and her graduating class in Collingswood. Adding to the excitement was a great photo opportunity with Chef Aaron McCargo, Jr., of ABC’s daytime show The Chew.
Mac Off raffle table
I had the chance to try some mac as I walked around helping make sure everything ran smoothly. Chef Mike made a healthy Mediterranean version of mac & cheese, which was awesome, and next to his station was Bistro di Marino–whose mac I admit I took twice. Inde Blue’s offering was a clever fried pastry stuffed with macaroni and cheese with an awesome chutney sauce of some sort. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to try winner blueplate’s because it was gone so quickly. That’s Amore had what was probably my favorite dish of the night, with jalapenos and shrimp!
Around 7 o’clock, the judging panel–FBSJ Board President Bob Brown, FBSJ CEO Val Traore, & Chef McCargo–had had their blind tastings. It was time to announce the winner. Chef McCargo, who is from Camden, warmly supported the mission to fight hunger in South Jersey and proceeded to name the winners. The Pop Shop came in second place for the night, while blueplate took home first. Although an outage somewhere kept people from seeing the votes they texted in with cell phones, the votes were recorded and That’s Amore won the popular vote by a landslide.
If you or your friends would like to share photos from the Mac Off, please send them to eyerke@foodbanksj.org !
Chef Aaron McCargo with a small fan
Posted in Food Bank of SJ South Jersey by .
Our goal in 2011 was to distribute 9.7 million pounds of food. The hard-working FBSJ staff coupled with the generous support of volunteers & donors enabled us to put out over 10.9 million pounds, surpassing the goal by more than a million pounds! (To put that in perspective, we distributed 9.2 million in 2010)
We had some major events in 2011 including the creation of FBSJ program Wonder Chefs, a nutrition education program developed for toddlers. The Food Bank of South Jersey also “changed the face of the SNAP program”–helping 749 individuals apply for food stamps and sharing best practices with other New Jersey food banks.
2011 was also a year of shortage. We experienced barren shelves in the warehouse, learned the need in south Jersey had increased from over 101,000 to over 171,000, and witnessed budget cuts on national and state levels. We learned a lot from Hungerstock, our first all-day concert event at the Riversharks Stadium in Camden. We also experienced a $300,000 windfall of funding.
Starting in September with Hunger Action Month, the Food Bank of South Jersey network of pantries, shelters, & kitchens gave customers the opportunity to share their experiences of hunger on paper plates. When the campaign ended, we sent the stories to NJ Governor Chris Christie. Over the same period of time, we asked our supporters to make calls to any and all government representatives to urge them not to cut food assistance program funding. Val Traore, FBSJ CEO, held a press release and asked network members also to write Christie.
These community efforts made a difference. In December of 2011, Christie announced that the Delaware River Port Authority would release funds promised to south Jersey back in 2009. The $2 million is marked to directly support programs & services to feed people in southern New Jersey. This money will be shared by FBSJ and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s Southern Branch.
Stephen Sweeney, NJ Senate President, was so impressed by the paper plate campaign that he wants to make a contribution toward our mission as well.
Now the Food Bank of South Jersey is finishing up preparations for the 3rd annual Mac Off. This year, the event will take place at the Scottish Rite Ballroom on White Horse Pike in Collingswood. The space is way larger, we have more chefs, and we’re excited for everyone to come out. Celeb chef Aaron McCargo, Jr., of The Chew will be one of our guest judges, and those who attend will have the opportunity to take celeb photos with him during the event. A popular winner will be chosen by those who want to caste their vote via mobile texting. We will also be selecting a raffle winner from among those who enter by providing us their name and email address. The event promises to be delicious and a lot of fun.
Also upcoming in 2012 is a cause marketing relationship with Deborah Smith’s 3 Square Deals, a daily deals program that will provide local NJ bargains for all things food while benefitting New Jersey food banks associated with their location. I am personally quite excited to link up local business with our mission and food-oriented folks in the community. Keep an eye out for more info and sign up now for 3 Square Deals in your area!
Food Procurement Managers Ernie & Mike secured a ton of great partnerships in 2011, including Hillcrest, Wawa, and BJs. Camden Agency Relations Manager Marie has been promoted to Senior Manager of Customer Service, and customer service is going to be a big focus this year. We are continually looking to improve in quality and efficiency. Also very exciting, for me at least!, is that I get to move on more communications & media projects.
Seems like great things are in store for the Food Bank of South Jersey in 2012. I hope you’ll stick with us and lend us your support. We anticipate some great events and opportunities for the entire community.
Posted in Food Bank of SJ South Jersey by .
FBSJ employees had big news at December’s staff meeting. The William Rohrer Charitable Foundation plans to award the food bank a generous amount of money. With this funding, construction to double the warehouse & expand our facilities is scheduled to begin sometime in the first quarter of 2012. The whole process is projected to occur over 15 months.
Thanks to coverage of CEO Val Traore’s press conference declaring the shortage this fall, coupled with concentrated effort from FBSJ agencies to deliver paper plate messages & make phone calls to NJ government, Governors Corbett & Christie decided to recommend the release of controversial Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) funds promised to the Food Bank of South Jersey. Now the DRPA finance committee has made the same recommendation that $2 million be allocated to the FBSJ. The DRPA board is scheduled to have a vote on the subject in December 14th, and the FBSJ is waiting to hear the decision on funds that would be enormously helpful to its mission. (Read More)
The Food Bank of South Jersey also wants to thank the south Jersey community members who rallied to donate food and money in response to our announcement of hard times even here. We are working hard to provide as much food and service as possible, shortfall or not.
Pounds distributed in November 2012: 949,000
Pounds distributed YTD: 10.29 million
Pounds received in November 2012: 1.1 million
Pounds received YTD: 10 million
Posted in Food Bank of SJ On Hunger by .
Everyone at the Food Bank of South Jersey is very busy these days. It’s harvest season, so we are in overdrive trying to ensure that hungry people in south Jersey have food for the holidays. With the holidays come cooler temperatures and greater obstacles to dinner. Aside from flukes like today’s beautiful weather, people have to start contending with the cost of heating homes and increased dependency on cars to buy groceries.
This Wednesday I offer you some links from the community perspective, since family and neighbors are what holiday season is all about.
1) First up, from Civil Eats, On Food Justice: An Interview with Slow Food’s Josh Viertel.
Bittman says, “Everyone should be engaged in building a world where it’s not easier to feed our kids Froot Loops than it is to feed them fruit. Whether that’s a matter of price, access, or knowledge.”
2) Next up, New Jersey has the nation’s third largest Indian population. Many Hindus celebrate Diwali through mid-November. Read about this awesome holiday at Philly.com: Today Hindus Celebrate Diwali, vitory over evil.
3) You may have heard about our recent press conference here at the Food Bank of South Jersey. Unfortunately, we have seen need amongst our community increase by more than 70% over the last year. Couple that with the $300,000 shortfall we are facing, and it’s tough times over here. As multimedia coordinator, I’m sitting here thinking to myself, Okay, strengthen the message. You work behind a computer, but words have power. Harness that power. But with what? And then it dawns on me: Facebook, silly! Use Facebook to make a holiday wish that will help buy holiday meals. So take a gander at the holiday wish I’ve created over at Facebook Causes. It’s a symbolic effort; let’s rally the interwebs to fight south Jersey hunger.
4) Last piece of business from the food bank… no link, though. The warehouse will be open on Saturday, November 19th from 9am to 12pm. We are opening our [bay] doors to receive any food donations you and yours would like to contribute the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
