The 32nd Annual All Agencies Conference was a Success!
The Agency Relations Team would like to thank everyone who attended the 32nd Annual All Agencies Conference on August 19 and 20. We hope you found the event valuable and gained insightful knowledge from the workshops. In case you couldn't make it to the conference or would like to reflect back on the information that your gained from the conference, you can access the presentation information from our breakout sessions on our website at www.lafoodbank.org.
All sections of the EFA-7 sign-in sheets must be completed.
Agencies can return to the individual recipients writing their information on the EFA-7 sign-in sheet.
Individual Recipient Entering Their Information on the EFA-7 Sign-In Sheet:
All fields of the information must be filled out on the sign-in sheet. If the recipient is homeless, they may mark homeless in the address section or a general area where they spend time, such as cross streets, a neighborhood name, a city, or a zip code.
If the agency encounters a recipient who is incapable of entering their own information on the EFA-7 sign-in sheet, provisions must be provided for the individual to have their information entered on the sheet. This may be done by a volunteer proxy assisting with entering information. In this case, the line should read “Volunteer Proxy Name for Recipient Name” in the name section of the sign-in sheet, for example “Jane Smith for John Doe.”
Entering Recipient's Information on the EFA-7 Sign-In Sheet by a Volunteer Proxy:
If the volunteer proxy is the only person filling out information on the sheet, the proxy must write “Volunteer Proxy: Name” at the top of the sheet. If multiple volunteers are assisting with the sign-in, each line should read “Volunteer Proxy Name for Recipient Name” in the name section of the sign-in sheet.
All fields of the information must be filled out on the sign-in sheet. If the recipient is homeless, they may mark homeless in the address section or a general area where they spend time, such as cross streets, a neighborhood name, a city, or a zip code.
After the information is entered onto the sheet by a volunteer proxy, the volunteer must let the recipient see that their information has been entered correctly.
The requirements for the use of an alternate pick up form have been updated:
All TEFAP Agencies Agree to require an Alternate Pick-up form (EFA-15) from income-eligible recipients unable to attend the physical distributions.
Handwritten notes are no longer accepted.
The individual (proxy) picking up commodities for another recipient must possess the Alternate Pick-up Form (EFA-15) and/or any other documents the distribution site or food bank may require.
The proxy will only need to bring an alternate pick up form (EFA-15) once, and the site should honor the form for one (1) year from the date signed.
A proxy may bring multiple Alternate Pick-up Forms to pick up for multiple recipients. For example, one person can be the proxy for one (1) person or ten (10) people.
The alternate pick up form (EFA-15) should be filed with the sign-in sheets from the distribution that it was received.
The proxy person should also sign in on the EFA-7 Sign-In Sheet. Under Name it should be written “Proxy Person Name for Recipient Name”, for example “Jane Smith for John Doe.”
Best Practices Highlight
Preventing Cross-contact with Food Allergens
Successfully managing a public food distribution involves overcoming several challenges. One major obstacle is ensuring the safe distribution of common foods while preventing cross-contact with food allergens. Thousands of individuals visit food pantries every month, and it's unknown how many of those neighbors are affected by food allergies. Maintaining high standards and raising awareness among all staff is crucial to preventing cross-contact with allergens by adhering to best practices. Click on the links of resources from Food Allergy Research & Education Organization of America (FARE).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confidently estimates that one million Americans are affected by food allergies every year, and this number continues to rise. A food allergy occurs when one's immune system overreacts to a specific allergen, typically a protein in food. Consuming the food allergen can lead to an allergic reaction, which may cause mild symptoms like skin rashes, respiratory issues, and, in severe cases, life-threatening symptoms. Despite the lack of a cure for food allergies amongst people, the industry is empowered by numerous online resources that raise awareness and guide on the best ways to assess and manage allergen hazards in food. According to the FDA's Food Compliance Programs, the nine foods that define a major food allergen, in part, as any of the following: Milk, Egg, Fish (e.g., flounder or cod), Crustacean Shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, or shrimp), Wheat, Peanuts, Soybeans, & Sesame
Encourage choosing sugar free drinks by making this lemon lime soda. The vibrant taste of citrus fruits along with refreshing sparkling water is a great way to stay hydrated and get your Vitamin C.
Couldn't make it to the All Agencies Conference? No problem! Learn how to reinforce choosing healthy options by using these "nudging" best practices at your next distribution. In addition, print and display these tasty tip cards to highlight foods given at your distribution.
Overview:
“Nudging” is creating small changes to the environment to influence healthy behaviors without eliminating choice. Nudges can be used to help customers identify and select the healthy or unfamiliar foods.
Make Healthy Options Convenient:
Place fruits and vegetables at the front of your distribution line.
Make healthy foods easy to reach by placing them at eye level.
Provide multiple opportunities for fresh produce.
Place fresh produce throughout the distribution line.
Offer samples of healthy items.
Attractive Displays:
Replace cardboard boxes for baskets or wooden crates.
Use signs and “tasty tips” to entice customers.
Use tablecloths to add color to your distribution.
Pick through items that aren’t in the best condition.
Consistently bring produce to the front of a table.
Consolidate produce when stocks are running low.
Normalize Health:
Highlight produce and other healthy choices through signage.
Provide easy to understand nutrition facts such as:
Oatmeal is a great whole grain and source of fiber.
Highlight nutrition education information throughout the pantry.
Posters
Recipe Cards
Bundle Unfamiliar Items Together:
Bring together or bundle items in one area of the distribution that may be unfamiliar and/or unpopular to reduce waste and encourage healthy eating.
As the nonprofit sector continues to evolve, leveraging virtual platforms to recruit volunteers has become a strategy for organizations looking to expand their reach and build a diverse talent pool of people who are eager to contribute their time and expertise. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank does not partner exclusively with any single platform. However, by implementing platforms like L.A. Works or VolunteerMatch, nonprofits can effectively recruit and engage volunteers, ultimately driving meaningful impact and achieving their mission. Please see the attachment below for some suggestions that may be helpful to our agency partners as they navigate the ever-changing landscape of volunteer recruitment.
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.
All Agencies Agree:
Changing Days & Hours of Services
To inform the Food Bank in writing of any changes of name, address, telephone number, type of service, stated purpose, or contact person before the change takes effect.
Agencies Must Adhere to the Warehouse Policies
To adhere to the Food Bank's established pick up schedule and procedures using only authorized agency representatives to pick up food and other items at the Food Bank's warehouse.
You must have an appointment for Shopping Only. Shopping appointments are created through Agency Express. If you need assistance with creating a shopping appointment, please email agency-relations@lafoodbank.org.
Only Three Representatives
Only three (3) agency representatives are allowed at your pick up/shopping appointment. Other representatives must wait in their vehicles.
Please see below a list of additional warehouse policies that must be adhered to while conducting business at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
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 pleased to announce that Central City Neighborhood Partners has been recognized as the agency of the month for September 2024. Our enduring partnership of eight years has been truly outstanding, and we wholeheartedly commend their commendable dedication to the people of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
1734 East 41st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90058 | (323) 234-3030
