Panel discusses food insecurity
The Yolo Community Foundation hosted a panel on food insecurity in the county during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion on food insecurity, which happened on March 4, featured Michael Bisch, executive director of Yolo Food Bank; Aleecia Gutierrez, board chair of Mercy Coalition West Sacramento; Cathleen Olsen, board member of Winters Farm to School; Christi Skibbins, executive director of Meals on Wheels Yolo County; and moderator Thomas Nelson, director of Yolo/Solano at Kitchen Table Advisors.
Nelson shared that in 2017, Feeding America reported that 20,000 people in Yolo County experienced a shortage of food needed to lead an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is not a new issue for many people and organizations working in Yolo County, but the pandemic has increased the need. Panelists reported a 25-30% increase in demand for services. According to the Yolo Community Foundation, the panelists discussed what populations they serve, how the pandemic has changed the services and needs, the impact of inequality on food insecurity, expected impacts going into our recovery phase, and opportunities for the community to support and address this issue.
Yolo County is an agriculturally-rich area with many food growers and producers, which provides unique opportunities for organizations addressing food insecurity. Olsen stated that Winters Farm to School received a large donation from a local farm whose buyer (a hotel in San Francisco) wanted to donate the produce they no longer needed when the pandemic began.
Another consistent theme during the discussion was that providing food for families has a ripple effect to build stability in other ways. Olsen shared that families have been able to pay rent or secure housing when their food needs are met.
“The meals we’re providing are enabling families to stretch their food dollars, feed their children, and… helping them to remain in their housing,” stated Olsen.
Bisch said that the Yolo Food Bank has partnerships with 80 other local nonprofits, enabling those organizations to better fulfill their own missions when their clients have access to food. Gutierrez and Skibbins both talked about the impact of delivering meals as a way to care for homebound seniors and those living in isolation.
“We’ve re-learned that people are inherently good and they want to help,” said Skibbins. “And that both individuals and businesses can act quickly, decisively and with compassion and generosity in order to help those in need.”
Each panelist agreed that there have been both new and strengthened partnerships with other organizations, governmental agencies, companies and individuals. They also noted the importance of financial support and collaboration going forward.
Bisch said that the Yolo Food Bank’s urgent focus is on supporting Senate Bill 1383 regarding edible food recovery mandates in order to rescue 14 million pounds of food from the landfill.
This panel on food insecurity was the second in a fiveweek series of discussions, hosted by the Yolo Community Foundation, focused on major community needs that have risen in intensity as a result of the pandemic and associated economic crisis. The next topics are:
“Mental Health” is on March 11. Guests are Dr. Urmi Patel, Sutter Health; Diane Sommers, Suicide Prevention Yolo County; Tico Zendejas, RISE Inc.; and Petrea Marchand, NAMI Yolo/ Consero Solutions.
“Housing Insecurity” is on March 18. Guests are Anoosh Jorjorian, ApoYolo Project; Lynnette Irlmeier, Empower Yolo; Doug Zeck, Fourth & Hope; and Sandra Sigrist, Yolo County Housing.
“What’s Next: A look at recovery” is on March 25. Guests are Gary S. May, University of California Davis; Rachael McKinney, Sutter Davis Hospital; Jim Provenza, Yolo County Board of Supervisors; and Evan Schmidt, Valley Vision.
Each panel is hosted Thursdays at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Registration can be completed at yolocf.org.