Covid 19 and Food Security: Focus on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

This session focuses on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), also known as the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, funded under the CARES Act. Given pandemic-related unemployment and disruptions in the food supply chain, the Food Box Program aims to provide farmers with a new market for their product no longer needed by restaurants and schools; fresh-food aggregators the ability to remain financially solvent; and food insecure consumers mainly fresh foods. It appears, however, that the program may not reach the most vulnerable farmers and regional aggregators, and has problems going ‘the last mile’ to or meeting the needs of at-risk consumers. The perspectives of two participating organizations will highlight the role of nutrition education as well as overall challenges and opportunities with the Food Box Program. Policy implications and recommendations for future programs will be discussed. Webinar organized by the Sustainable Food Systems Division.

Presenters

• JoAnne Burke, PhD, Clinical Professor, Emerita, Univ of New Hampshire
• Jeannie House, Program Coordinator, Pacific Mountain Workforce/Worksource
• Andy Naja-Riese, MSPH, CEO, Agricultural Institute of Marin

Education Benefits

Participants of this webinar will receive 1 CEU for live attendance. The webinar provides information on the following:

SNEB Nutrition Educator Competencies

• 5.2. Describe the roles of government agencies in regulating food systems and the food supply.
• 5.3. Describe the history, purpose and funding of key pieces of legislation that authorize programs supporting nutrition education, research, and food assistance to address malnutrition and food security and to promote health.
• 6.4. Describe ways to collaborate with other stakeholders to promote policies supporting systems that produce healthy food.

CDR Performance Indicators

• 8.2.5  Keeps abreast of, advocates for and integrates knowledge of national and local funding models that impact the population and services provided.
• 12.1.3 Collaborates with community partners and stakeholders in promoting nutritional health and disease prevention.
• 12.1.4  Influences legislation, regulation, and policy changes to impact nutrition in the community.

CDR Learning Need Codes

• 4070 Food security and hunger
• 4080 Government-funded Food & Nutrition Programs
• 4010 Community intervention, monitoring, and evaluation