Bay Area Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Feeding America s mission is to feed America

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1 is a member of Feeding America, the nation s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Feeding America s mission is to feed America s hungry through a nationwide network of 200 member food banks. Where our food bank s 24-county service area ends, another food bank s service area begins so that every county in the nation is covered.

2 Our SERVICE AREA We serve a 24-county area spanning along southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and the panhandle of Florida.

3 OUR CORE MISSION Working through member organizations & special programs, we provide nutritious food to meet the challenge of feeding people who are hungry as a result of personal crisis or disaster. We work to educate the public regarding domestic hunger, proper nutrition & related issues.

4 How do WE WORK? Getting food to those in need is our top priority. 1. Food comes to the food bank from the USDA, national manufacturers, local grocers, and food drives. 2. Donated food is then inspected for safety, sorted, and stored at the food bank until ready for distribution. 3. Food is distributed to our network of over 450 partner agencies, which includes church pantries, soup kitchens, and other non-profits. They then distribute the food to those in need in their communities.

5 Nutrition PROGRAMS We offer many nutrition programs in our communities to: - End Hunger - Improve Nutrition - Combat Obesity

6 26.7% of Alabama s children are considered food insecure. That means about 1 in 4 children struggle with hunger. Wilcox (highest AL county): 35.4% Shelby (lowest AL county): 19.2% Alabama Childhood Obesity (10-17 year olds): 18.6% Our analysis shows that over the last 6 months, 26% of our obese patients are food insecure. These are patients suffering from significant complications associated with their weight. These patients are children who are not part of the food procurement. They just suffer the consequences without any ability to impact the food choices, shopping, or budget. Our data as presented today reflects that children are more likely to be severely obese if they are part of a low socioeconomic background. - Dr. Preud Homme, MD. Professor of Pediatrics Link Between Hunger & OBESITY Obesity rates in both adults and children are rising, particularly in the South. Patients who are food insecure may not be hungry, but can develop coping behaviors to eat food that is high caloric and cheap, so funds can be stretched until the next paycheck or food assistance. The Pediatric Healthy Life Center at the University of South Alabama has screened for food insecurity for several years.

7 CACFP Sites - Alabama: 55 - Florida: 10 - Mississippi: 30 Children Served - Alabama: 3,438 - Florida: Mississippi: 2,300

8 SFSP Sites - Alabama: Florida: 28 - Mississippi: 50 Children Served - Alabama: 6,477 - Florida: 1,373 - Mississippi: 3,000

9 BACKPACK Sites - Alabama: 30 - Florida: 34 - Mississippi: 8 Children Served - Alabama: Florida: Mississippi: 130

10 SNAP OUTREACH The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a government assistance program to help lowincome households pay for food Counties Reached: 40 - Applications: 2,369 - Outreach Events: 1,219

11 Community Garden NETWORK - 19 Satellite Gardens - 33,723 lbs. of produce gleaned in 2014 between 5 partner farms. - On site outdoor classroom for workshops and demonstrations. - Food bank staff are using the Junior Master Gardner curriculum with students from the South Alabama Homeschoolers at our on-site education garden and in an afterschool program at Spencer-Westlawn Elementary. - Building community gardens in lowincome neighborhoods to allow residents to grow and harvest food.

12 Lower Alabama Homeschoolers at Bay Area Food Bank Groundbreaking at Hollingers Island Elementary

13 JMG lesson at Bay Area Food Bank Mayor Stimpson visiting Taylor Park Community Garden

14 Cooking Matters PROGRAMS Share Our Strength Cooking Matters is a free nutrition course that teaches how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a limited budget. We offer the following courses: - For Kids: Introduce preparing healthy foods to children (10-14 yrs. old) with hands-on activities. - For Adults/Parents: Introduce preparing healthy meals at home to adults. - For Seniors: Introduce preparing healthy one-serving meals to seniors.

15 I learned how to eat nutritiously, and how to read labels and shop when I go to the store. I just really enjoyed myself. I learned a lot of things that makes me and my family happy. - Class Participant

16 Cooking Matters FOR KIDS Nutrition course of four class sessions, taught by a food bank staff nutritionist. Kids are taught about MyPlate and how to read labels. Below is sample menu the kids learn to make. - Lunch: Turkey Burgers Veggie Wraps Black Bean/Veggie Quesadillas - Dinner: Cheesy Chicken, Veggie, and Brown Rice Casserole - Snacks: Cucumber Sammies Avocado Crunch