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AGENCY RELATIONS NEWSLETTER
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Ordering Schedule for Closure Date on Memorial Day - Monday, May 27, 2024
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The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day. Closure dates may affect your agency's ORDERING, PICK UP, and DELIVERY SCHEDULES. Click on the button to review the ordering schedule for the closure date and plan accordingly.
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Limited Parking May 6th - 8th, 2024
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Continuous improvements at the City of Industry Warehouse occur while operations continue to service agencies. Construction will happen in the parking lot directly outside the agency servicing area on May 6th, 7th, and 8th, making this entrance unavailable. That means agencies picking up on these dates will enter through the Volunteer Entrance, Entrance #1. Agencies will be directed around the backside of the building to park in the spaces available for agency loading.
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Important Reminder to Agencies
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Ordering Freezer and Cooler Supplies
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Agencies must order only enough food that can be stored properly before, during, and after distributions. If a pattern of overordering occurs, your agency may encounter your account being placed on hold, suspended, or terminated for breaking the Agency Agreement points listed below.
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- 18. Not to violate food safety or distribution policies. If notified by the Food Bank, of any violation(s) the agency will need to submit a corrective action plan in writing and will need to correct the violation(s) before it is allowed to receive food and/or other items from the Food Bank.
- 20. To provide and utilize cold and dry storage space to ensure the integrity of the food until it is used and/or distributed. Agency will store food and other items received from the Food Bank at the agency’s distribution location unless otherwise approved in writing by the Food Bank. The temperature of all cold storage units must be maintained using appropriate thermometers. Temperatures must be recorded on temperature log.
- 34. Food pantries must have at least one agency representative certified as a California Food Handler. The agency must provide a copy of the California Food Handler certificate to the Food Bank.
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It is essential to consider the amount of cold storage your agency has when placing your orders through Agency Express. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Agency Relations Team.
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According to the Agency Agreement, all agency partners of the Food Bank are required “To obtain and keep in force a liability insurance policy naming the Food Bank as an additional insured. To execute and deliver to the Food Bank any liability releases that the Food Bank may require.” Agencies not in compliance with this point of the Agency Agreement will be placed on hold until an updated document is received. If you have any questions, please contact Adriana Gallegos at agallegos@lafoodbank.org
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Update for TEFAP Agencies
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TEFAP 2024 Income Guidelines
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Attached, find the 2024 TEFAP Income Guidelines. Remove all older versions of the Income Guidelines and immediately start using the 2024 Income Guidelines during your TEFAP food distributions. Please remember that the income guidelines need to be posted near the TEFAP sign-in sheets so that clients can self-certify that they are income-eligible.
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The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank advises that it is a Best Practice to Provide a Friendly Greeter at your distributions. These greeters should:
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- Greet neighbors promptly and attentively, using their names if possible, and addressing them with respect is an essential process for making a good impression on your community.
- Adjust greetings based on the neighbor's mood. It is important to recognize that we are here to serve all members of the community.
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It is important to have a greeter for the following reasons.
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- Greeting participants attending your distribution is highly encouraged to make neighbors feel more welcome and at ease while accepting food assistance.
- Having a greeter in place provides an avenue for your neighbors to provide praise and recognition for your team members and volunteers, as well as feedback on ways to improve.
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This May, celebrate Rethink Your Drink (RYD) month by replacing sugar-filled drinks with your own naturally sweetened beverages. Make this Strawberry Pineapple Agua Fresca for your next potluck to encourage choosing a healthier drink!
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Food, Nutrition and Healthy Tips
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Vitamin D is essential to building a strong immune system and preventing bone diseases. A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to loss of bone density, depression, weight loss and even cancer (NIH 2022). Download this Flyer to learn more.
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Please note that we will continue to bring in various donated items in addition to the TEFAP items 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.
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U-Haul Information - Opportunity for Agencies Currently Using U-Haul
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U-Haul Business Account - Free to have and no minimum spending to maintain the account.
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- Many Non-Profit Organizations and Businesses around the US and Canada have Corporate Accounts with U-Haul, as the accounts have many benefits and have proven to be a helpful tool for their business.
- A U-Haul Corporate Account includes but is not limited to:
- This allows the corporate account to send any employee or volunteer in to pick up the U-Haul truck without needing any payment onsite, as it goes through the corporate account.
- Corporate Rate Schedule and Best Rate Guarantee
- Helps ensure that the corporate account gets special pricing or whatever is the most cost-effective option for the rental. Please ask your Account Executive for more information on this.
- A place where the corporate account can place reservations, print receipts or make changes as needed and this is available 24/7
- Feel free to sign up for the corporate account any time at https://www.uhaul.com/Business/Application/. Please put in the code LAFOODBANK in the Website Address section, as this will help us expedite your application. If you have any questions, you can also contact Ryan Moore at ryan_moore@uhaul.com.
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Warehouse Policies Reminder
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Arrival Time for Appointments
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Agencies may arrive up to five (5) minutes early for their appointments for check in. Parking in the middle divider on the street is not allowed as it can obstruct the view of coming and going trucks/vehicles.
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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.
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Civil Rights Training (TEFAP Participants Only)
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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.
RSVP by sending an email to mcarreon@lafoodbank.org.
The 1st Wednesday of each month
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mrs-vjhy-zvv
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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!
RSVP by sending an email to aperez@lafoodbank.org.
Friday, 5/10/24 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 5/29/24 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cyj-gjcd-gbn
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Refresher for Online Ordering and Monthly Reporting
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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.
RSVP by sending an email to aperez@lafoodbank.org
Tuesday, 5/21/24 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cyj-gjcd-gbn
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May 2024 Agency of the Month
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We are pleased to announce that the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club has been selected as our Agency of the Month for May 2024. We want to acknowledge their outstanding dedication to their community, which has not gone unnoticed. Their commitment to serving the community in partnership with the Food Bank has made a significant impact on the lives of those in need.
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Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
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1734 East 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058 | (323) 234-3030
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