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AGENCY RELATIONS NEWSLETTER
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Important Reminder to Agencies
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Register for the All Agencies Conference on August 19 & 20
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There has been an update to the workshops offered at our conference on August 19th & 20th. We have added two additional workshops. If you have already registered, please register again, reflecting the new workshop choices you will make if you are interested in attending. If you have not registered already, please do so as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you at the event. We will host duplicate workshops on two separate days. Register for one day only.
Please click on the buttons below to view the conference workshops and to register.
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Starbucks Product Available for Distribution
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As you may know, Starbucks is one of the Food Bank’s supporters. As such, we are fortunate to expand, at least temporarily, our Starbucks donations to additional partner agencies. Please note that if you accept/order Starbucks products from the Food Bank, you must adhere to the following distribution guidelines:
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- For Pantry Distributions:
- All food items will be distributed in a frozen state. Items must be kept frozen until they are distributed to clients/neighbors.
- Do not open bags. (Do not sort the items).
- The entire bag must be handed to a client/neighbor
- Agency staff and/or volunteers must advise clients/neighbors that once the items are thawed, the items must be consumed within 24 hours.
- For Onsite Meal Distributions:
- All food items will be distributed frozen. They must be kept frozen until they are prepped for meals or reheated for consumption.
- All regular food safety requirements must be followed, including reheating temperatures based on the item.
- Agency staff and/or volunteers must advise clients/neighbors that once the items are thawed, the items must be consumed within 24 hours.
- Important Notes:
- The donated items are ready-to-eat items such as sandwiches and baked goods. Due to the freezing process, the client/neighbor may need to discard a few items that are no longer at peak quality, such as frozen fruit, cheese, or crackers that may come in a bistro box.
- Since the items were frozen before the best-buy date, they are preserved for consumption.
- Coffee is not regularly donated.
- When available, Starbucks items will be available through the Agency Onsite Shopping.
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Thank you for your continued partnership. Please get in touch with a member of the Agency Relations team with any questions.
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Update for TEFAP Agencies
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SAM.Gov Unique Entity Identification Number Requirements
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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.
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Update for Extra Helpings Agencies
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Thank you to all Extra Helpings Agencies using the appropriate forms during pick ups at our retail partners. If your agency is in need of additional Donation Receipts they can be picked up at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank City of Industry Location or found at our website here:
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Adhering to Store Policies
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Extra Helpings agencies regularly pick up from retail locations of different types. Each store may have its own check-in policies. For example, a Ralphs may have a different procedure for agency check-in than an Albertsons or Costco. Please ensure that you are adhering to these guidelines provided by each store. If you have any questions about the guidelines for each store, please reach out to a member of our Extra Helpings team at extrahelpings@lafoodbank.org
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According to the University of Southern California (USC), earthquakes occur frequently due to the state's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Despite their frequency, it's essential to be prepared for the possibility of a major earthquake. Earthquake preparedness resources are readily available, such as Earthquake Warning California, which offers free information and tools to help individuals and communities prepare for and respond to earthquakes. It's important to take advantage of such resources to ensure that we know what to do when a significant earthquake occurs.
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Skills Development Training Resources available from FMCS
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The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, created in 1947, is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with six Regions comprising more than 60 Field and Home Offices, the agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities.
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FMCS provides comprehensive conflict resolution services in five major areas: collective bargaining mediation; grievance mediation; relationship development training; ADR services to government entities; and education, outreach and advocacy.
Click on the button link to learn more about their services:
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Sweet potatoes are not potatoes at all. They come from different plant families. Sweet potatoes are in the morning glory familylike the flowerand there are hundreds of varieties. Download this flyer to learn more about sweet potatoes and try out a new recipe!
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Agency Agreement Reminders
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All Food Bank agencies have signed an agreement detailing their responsibilities while participating in Food Bank programs. Below is a highlight of policies that must be adhered to by all our agency partners. Otherwise, your account may be placed on hold until the concern is resolved.
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Different Products Have Different Requirements
To adhere to additional donor stipulations as requested. (For Example, the Starbucks Product has to be distributed with certain stipulations as mentioned above)
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Do NOT Solicit Donations at Distributions
To give (at no charge) food and other items obtained from the Food Bank directly to agency's clients regardless of whether the agency paid shared maintenance fees or purchased items from the Shop, Smart and Save program. An agency can not request or require donations from clients. An agency can not request or require clients to exchange service time for food or other items received from the Food Bank.
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Warehouse Policies Reminder
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Professional & Receptive to Instructions
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When visiting the Food Bank's distribution centers, we kindly request that all agency representatives adhere to the warehouse policies which includes refraining from sorting food items while on-site.
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- Only three (3) agency representatives are allowed at your pick up/shopping appointment. Other representatives must wait in their vehicles or in the designated waiting area.
- No Minors are allowed on the premises.
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Please see below a list of additional warehouse policies that must be adhered to while conducting business at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
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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, 8/9/24 at 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 8/28/24 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 bgonzalez@lafoodbank.org
Tuesday, 8/30/24 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/itp-tkjh-ooo
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August 2024 Agency of the Month
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It is a pleasure to announce that Union Rescue Mission is the August 2024 agency of the month! It has been an outstanding partnership for over 40 years. Their dedication to the people of Los Angeles is commendable.
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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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