VIRGINIA PENINSULA FOODBANK

FOOD DISTRIBUTION. VIRGINIA PENINSULA FOODBANK'S FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM SERVES AS A REGIONAL CLEARINGHOUSE FOR DONATED AND PURCHASED FOOD AS WELL AS RELATED ITEMS. THESE ITEMS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO QUALIFIED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING FOOD TO THE LESS FORTUNATE ACROSS THE GREATER VIRGINIA PENINSULA. THE FOODBANK ACQUIRES SURPLUSES AND POTENTIALLY RECOVERABLE DISCARDS GATHERED FROM LOCAL RETAILERS, WHOLESALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, FOOD INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS, BROKERS, GROCERY STORES, GLEANING PROJECTS, AND INDIVIDUAL DONORS FROM THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE AREA. FURTHER, FOOD MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE PENINSULA'S NEEDY RESIDENTS IS ALSO RECEIVED FROM NATIONAL DONORS THROUGH FEEDING AMERICA. FIRST QUALITY FOOD ITEMS ARE OBTAINED FROM THE USDA THROUGH THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP) AND THE COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP), COLLECTED IN FOOD DRIVES SUPPORTED BY NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS, AS WELL AS PURCHASED WITH FEMA (FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY) AND OTHER PRIVATE GRANT FUNDING. THE FOODBANK THEN DISTRIBUTES THESE GOODS TO EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS, AND OTHER NONPROFIT AGENCIES WHICH ASSIST PENINSULA RESIDENTS WHO FALL INTO NEED EACH DAY.

CHILD NUTRITION. THE KID'S CAFE PROGRAM NORMALLY PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS AFTERNOON MEALS AND SNACKS TO CHILDREN IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN A SAFE, CARING, AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. THE CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP DISADVANTAGED ADULTS GAIN CULINARY SKILLS, JOBS, AND SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH A FREE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT WILL ALSO BENEFIT AND EXPAND THE FOOD SUPPORT FOR OUR KIDS CAFE PROGRAM. THE 12-WEEK CURRICULUM TRAINS INDIVIDUALS IN BASIC CULINARY SKILLS TO INCLUDE SERVSAFE MANAGER CERTIFICATION, SANITARY PRACTICES, JOB SKILLS, RESUME DEVELOPMENT, TIME MANAGEMENT, TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, GOAL SETTING, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION. TRAINEES PARTICIPATE IN AN INTENSIVE ACADEMIC AND HANDS-ON TRAINING ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL PRODUCE A GRADUATE READY TO WORK IMMEDIATELY IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY AS A SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYEE. OUR BACK PACK FOR KIDS PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2005 THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THREE TITLE I ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (DEFINED AS SCHOOLS WITH A POPULATION OF GREATER THAN 50% OF THE CHILDREN RECEIVING FREE OR REDUCED PRICE FEDERAL SCHOOL MEALS). WE DISTRIBUTED BACKPACK BAGS OF FOOD TO OVER 1,500 CHILDREN MOST WEEKS AT DOZENS OF LOCATIONS ACROSS THE GREATER VIRGINIA PENINSULA.