As we gear up for the arrival of spring, we would like to remind you that daylight savings time will begin on, Sunday, March 10, 2024. When the clock strikes 2:00 a.m., we will "spring forward" one hour, losing an hour of sleep. Please mark your calendars and remember to adjust your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday, March 9th. Take this opportunity to also check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are in proper working order.
We hope this reminder helps you prepare for the upcoming time change and adjust your schedules accordingly.
Update for TEFAP Agencies
SAM.Gov Unique Entity Identification Number Requirements
If you have completed your SAM.gov registration and provided your Unique Entity Identification (UEI), thank you.
This is a reminder to agencies who have not completed and obtained the required Unique Entity Identification (UEI) through SAM.gov to please do so as soon as possible.
Agencies that have not completed the request will not be placed on hold at this time. However, when we are notified by the California Department of Social Services that we must place agencies on hold that have not completed this requirement, we will do so. We do not know how much advance notice LARFB and our partners will receive before we place accounts on hold. This is why it is very important for your agency to continue to work towards obtaining your UEI.
Remember to use the name of your organization and your agency’s address when requesting your agency's UEI. All agencies must apply for their own Unique Entity Identification even if your agency is part of a 501(c)3 umbrella i.e. SDA’s, Catholic Conference, Salvation Army, etc. If, during the validation process, you are required to submit any type of document, we recommend submitting a bank statement or utility bill for validation; not your 501c3 or articles of incorporation, since the address on these documents may not match your address.
Once your agency has completed the registration, kindly fill out the following LARFB - UEI Agency Form to provide your Unique Entity Identification to our TEFAP team. If your agency did not make the record public, please use the LARFB - UEI Agency Form to upload a copy of UEI registration after saving the file and/or taking a screenshot.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Milly Carreon at mcarreon@lafoodbank.org
2024 Civil Rights Requirement for All Agencies - Due March 29, 2024
It is time for your agency to complete the mandatory Civil Rights Training for your staff and volunteers. Each Agency must submit a certification with Level 1 and Level 2 training by March 31, 2024 to TEFAPcivilrights@lafoodbank.org. However, each site must have all client-facing staff or volunteers complete a minimum of Level 1 Training. These documents must be filed and kept at your agency site for review during monitor reports.
Each person is to indicate with their initials to the right that they have read and understood each concept. Upon completing the training, all staff and volunteers must sign, date, and submit all four pages. All staff & volunteers must sign where it indicates “Level 1 Training Certification”.
Each person is to indicate with their initials to the right that they have read and understood each concept. Upon completing the training, all staff and volunteers must sign, date, and submit all four pages. All staff & volunteers must sign where it indicates “Level 1 Training Certification”.
Submit all completed documents to TEFAPcivilrights@lafoodbank.org by Friday, 03/29/24. Please note: Documents with no agency name and/or number will be discarded. If training documents are not received by the due date, your account will be placed on hold.
The Extra Helpings Program matches LARFB agencies to retail stores in the agencies' local service area. The retail donations primarily consist of perishable items such as frozen meat, produce, baked goods, eggs, and dairy products. For this reason, agencies that participate in the program must distribute at least once per week.
If your agency is interested in participating in the Extra Helpings Program, please complete the Agreement Form and send it to the Extra Helpings Team at extrahelpings@lafoodbank.org or reach out for additional information.
When possible, it is best practice to educate neighbors on reducing waste. This can be done by providing your neighbors with the following helpful guide published by eatFresh.org
Another handy guide created by the Food Bank on the safety of consuming items depending on the date marked on the packaging to reduce household waste of food items can be found below.
Fresh, frozen, or canned mangoes are full of antioxidants to help improve your immune system. Add this delicious fruit to a plain, nonfat yogurt serving to create a healthy and nutritious snack like our Mango Lime Parfait recipe.
Cooking foods to the proper internal temperature is key in preventing food-borne illnesses. Display this chart at your site to raise awareness about food safety.
Please note that we will continue to bring in various donated produce items in addition to the TEFAP produce listed on Agency Express. To encourage the use of these items, our Nutrition Service Team has created these handouts that you may provide to your neighbors along with these items when ordered.
Children's Nutrition Afterschool Program Information
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank would like to invite you to provide the following information to your neighbors in need of additional food assistance for their Children:
Please invite them to participate at one of our partnered afterschool meal sites and receive some nutritious food for kids & teens ages 5 -18 at no additional cost. Notice: Some sites may have additional requirements. Your child will have the opportunity to receive a free supper meal Monday - Friday and get homework help! Reach out to one of the following sites for more information.
Interested in Partnering with the LA Regional Food Bank to Host a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Site?
As summer quickly approaches, the Children's Nutrition team at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank invites you to join us for our 2024 Summer Food Service Program. As you may know, when schools are on summer break, many children miss out on receiving a well-balanced and nutritious meal. This is why it is so important for us to work together this summer to provide children in low-income areas with free breakfast and lunch meals to ensure they are prepared and ready to learn and succeed when they return to school.
If you are interested in partnering with us this summer to provide free and nutritious meals to children in your community, please be sure to reach out to nutritioned@lafoodbank.org to receive the application and program requirements.
You must apply by 04/05/2024
To read more about the 2024 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) please view the flyer below.
All Agencies MUST have their Agency ID Cards and Insulated Blankets when picking up at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The parking attendant will enforce this rule when arriving for pick up or shopping.
If you are in need of a replacement Agency ID Card, please email agency-relations@lafoodbank.org, a $5 charge will be placed on your account. Insulated Blankets are available for purchase through Agency Express.
Agency Onsite Shopping Notice
While the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank aims for freshness, a small percentage of items may need to meet standards due to fast turnover rates for fresh produce and other food items. This reality is shared across the food industry. To maximize the food quality going out into the community, we encourage additional quality checks at your location before distribution.
Warehouse Time Limit
Agencies will have one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes from the time of check-in to conduct their pick-up and shopping at the warehouse. This time limit will be enforced to ensure that agencies can be serviced at their designated appointment times. Agencies may arrive up to five (5) minutes early for their appointments for check-in.
Agencies MAY NOT Park in the Volunteer lot to wait for their appointment. If agencies arrive early and are instructed to return closer to their appointment time, they will not be allowed to wait on Food Bank Property.
Agency Training Calendar
Civil Rights Training (TEFAP Participants Only)
Civil Rights Training is mandatory training for all staff of volunteers at TEFAP Sites who interact with participants. The Food Bank Agency Relations Team offers this training monthly.
Do you need a refresher course or have new team members who would benefit from learning about online ordering, agency shopping, monthly reporting, or food distribution policies? Please ask all your staff or long-standing volunteers to attend the next virtual Food Bank 101 training!
Refresher for Online Ordering and Monthly Reporting
This refresher training reviews the fundamentals of monthly reporting and online ordering. If you need assistance with your reports, you are welcome to join us in this session to ask any questions you may need answered regarding your reports.
We are excited to announce that the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is the March 2024 Agency of the Month. The Food Bank recognizes their exceptional work and dedication to the community they serve. Congratulations to MAOF on this well-deserved recognition! We value our partnership with them and look forward to a continued collaboration.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 East 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058 | (323) 234-3030
