Edible Food Recovery: Best Practices and Funding Policy
Track
Organics / Edible Food Recovery
Session Description
The CRRA Edible Food Recovery Technical Council presents a comprehensive panel session exploring best practices, including input from environmental health, and a perspective on funding policies for edible food recovery. Presenters will dive into examples and resources for the audience, an analysis on the role of environmental health and policies on equitable funding. These speakers’ sessions represent diverse stakeholders who will be addressing these subjects with unique and effective perspectives based on their vast experience in edible food recovery. This session hopes to create clarity around SB1383 best practices in food recovery, providing tangible resources, legitimate case studies, and expansion on the challenging lessons learned throughout 2021 and 2022. With the unique perspective of Environmental Health and their familiarity within the foodservice industry, the audience will understand the complexities of the inspection process and Environmental Health’s possible involvement. As we have consistently learned, supporting pantries in their food recovery efforts is critical. We will explore equitable funding through a ‘bottom-up vs. top-down strategy’, expanding on efforts including community-led food recovery programs.
Speakers
Robin Martin, Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Title
Executive Director, Silicon Valley Food Recovery Manager, Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program
Speaker Abstract
Robin Franz Martin presents an opportunity to learn a multitude of best practices, taking her knowledge of surplus edible food recovery experience as the Executive Director of the Food Recovery Initiative of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and as the Manager of the Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program, handling all the food recovery portions of SB 1383 for all jurisdictions in Santa Clara County. This session will cover best practices of food safety and edible donation, coordination between jurisdictions working on SB 1383, materials to use to support leading methods for generators, nonprofits, and jurisdictions. Robin will provide the audience with resources and information relative to recovery, and touch on the preparation required for Tier 2 generation. Through her collaboration with food recovery organizations and services, she provides a thorough examination of methods for success with practical and actionable information for attendees.
John Ralls, Community Health Comm
Title
Director
Speaker Abstract
One commonly asked question relative to SB1383 that is still undefined includes what role will Environmental Health departments play throughout the state? We will explore the varied roles local Environmental Health Departments can play from education, to inspection, and to compliance enforcement. Former Environmental Health Program Manager and current Food Bank Board Member, John Ralls will offer his unique and insightful perspectives surrounding the reasons for varied levels of participation statewide in each of these areas to provide needed insight and context to these complex relationships. Mr. Ralls will also discuss the options available in jurisdictions where Environmental Health Department participation is limited.
Claudia Keller, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
Title
Chief Executive Officer
Speaker Abstract
Arguably the most critical element associated with the success of edible food recovery is funding. The ability to not only identify funding streams but ensure that the funding created is distributed in an equitable fashion that has the greatest impact on the community and meets the needs of those most vulnerable. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County CEO, Claudia Keller, will discuss the importance of funding equity, the impact it can have on the community, and the potential strategies considered to accomplish this goal. Strategies discussed will include participatory grantmaking at the community level, collaborative coalitions, and an analysis of bottom-up vs. top-down funding models. The audience will have a deeper understanding of the various fund distribution approaches that can ensure greater inclusion and equity.