We are thrilled to introduce the Food Forward Collective Pilot, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance food recovery in schools and reduce community food insecurity by 5%.  Since 2023, Food Connect has  delivered over 438,000 meals and supported 6,400 families in the Bay Area! The Food Forward Collective pilot program is a natural progression towards creating a sustainable, trackable model that efficiently  connects school cafeterias with community members in need, optimizing surplus food management. At the heart of this initiative are Oakland Unified School District and FoodRecovery.org to join forces to play a crucial role in bringing this vision to life.

Our Approach

The Food Forward Collective is dedicated to identifying communities in critical need, using data to highlight significant social disparities. Our pilot project focuses on empowering communities from within, starting with Alameda County. Here, 8.1% of the population struggles with food insecurity, according to Feeding America. The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), is a key institution educating 34,428 students, the district's minority enrollment is 90%, with 58% of students facing economic hardship.. OUSD  provides over 26,000 meals daily serving  as the foundation of our pilot and an essential cornerstone to the community, striving for both high academic standards and holistic student support while addressing inequities.The enactment of SB1383 has intensified efforts to tackle food insecurity and waste in the education sector, driving the development of solutions that efficiently allocate resources to underserved communities.

Meet the Food Forward Collective:  Bay Area Key Players

The Food Forward Collective brings together three organizations, each specializing in essential areas:

Oakland Unified School District / San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD): In the heart of the community OUSD and SFUSD support  over 50,000 students and families collectively. The efforts of the Food Collective pilot program will address food insecurity and scarcity found in each of these communities. Both school systems bring about a natural understanding of SB1383 and the unique needs of each community. This is spearheaded through the Custodial and Nutrition Services.

FoodRecovery.org: This platform matches surplus food with communities, educates on SB1383, and combats food insecurity and waste. Their success in mobilizing students as advocates and volunteers is critical to our mission.

Food Connect: Led by Alex Jackson, Director of Programs and Logistics, Food Connect is at the forefront of logistics and program management. 

Our Strategy and Commitment to Equity

At Food Connect, equity is at the core of our mission. We believe in fair treatment and equal access to opportunities, recognizing historical disparities that have created barriers to healthy food access. 

We do this through: 

Leveraging Existing Operations: We aim to  enhance existing frameworks without disruption. OUSD's proactive response to SB1383 aligns with our efforts. Food Connects logistical infrastructure and FoodRecovery.org's platform amplify our impact in Alameda County. By collecting valuable data, we will refine our processes and communication.

Community Leadership and Policy Impact: With SB1383's pilot, the community is ready for significant shifts in food recovery. We plan to deepen connections with key community leaders, focusing on communication, outreach, and education to actively involve the community.

Systems Change and Innovation: Our pilot design goes beyond food distribution, aiming to innovate and reform systems through data-driven methods and continuous community feedback. Food Connect's expertise in logistics and program management will ensure transparency and efficiency.

Achievements and Progress:The Food Forward Collective has made significant strides, with outreach to Alameda County's shelters, pantries, and food banks underway. Nancy Deming is working with health departments to ensure food safety approvals, and we have a clear plan for our September pilot launch. The food donation partnership among OUSD, FoodRecovery.org, and Food Connect is close to finalization, with School District approval already secured.

Moving Food Forward!

The Food Forward Collective is poised to revolutionize how educational infrastructure can promote community health and resilience. With data and technology guiding our efforts, we are set to launch this pilot program in September 2024, demonstrating the power of schools in driving sustainability and community well-being.

Take action and be a part of sustainable and practical solutions: visit us and see what your support can do in the lives of many!

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