Progress 05/15/17 to 05/14/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Food insecure individuals, including 31% of low-income households in Marin County, 39% of low-income households in Sonoma County, 47% of low-income households in Alameda County, and 44% of low-income households in Contra Costa County, were the main targets reached during the reporting period. Specific demographics and percentages vary by partner site. Faith-based groups served as the way in which to reach food insecure individuals; during the reporting period, we worked with 19 faith-based groups on existing CSA and farm stand projects or planning new CSA and farm stand projects offering SNAP incentives. As previously reported, due to a state grant awarded effective October 2016, Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative (ISFC) was able to expand partnerships to two new California counties not discussed in the original FINI proposal, Alameda and Contra Costa. This will allow for additional and/or alternative FINI CSA and produce stand sites. In addition to work with faith groups, our nonprofit partner, Petaluma Bounty, reached out to low-income families through other types of community centers and hubs, such as Boys and Girls Club in Petaluma and Petaluma Adult School ESL Classes. Interfaith Food did limited outreach and technical assistance to organizations serving communities outside of the original target area on a demand response basis. These included: faith-based groups in Santa Clara, Ventura, San Diego, Sacramento, and Los Angeles counties. We also reached faith-based senior housing facilities, such as Maria B. Freitas Senior Housing, to determine interest in hosting a mobile farmers market, farm stand, or CSA. Changes/Problems:A no-cost extension was requested and approved for one year beginning 5/16/18. Substantive information from that request is repeated below: As you are aware from ongoing reporting, our project has not been moving incentive dollars as anticipated despite our work with 11 partner sites we contracted with to offer nutrition incentives. There are several reasons for this request: Our contract with NIFA was finalized later than anticipated in 2016 and this resulted in a delay in projected start time of contracts with partners. We did not get key contracts signed with several partners until August and September, leading to a slow start with the main harvest season winding down soon after. This meant that challenges with implementation were hard to evaluate and address in 2016. We have had multiple, ongoing challenges with partners rolling out incentives on small?scale produce stands. Most significantly, there were problems with sites securing FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) licenses and EBT machines for produce stands and CSA sites. One key farm partner, Laguna Farm, chose to discontinue accepting SNAP at its CSA program; another, First Light Farm, had an ownership change that reduced capacity to administer SNAP at CSA's. In addition, though our original proposal focused primarily on partnerships with faith?based groups, we also budgeted significant funds for a secular non?profit partner to lead distribution of incentives with its own farm and through several partnerships with local health clinics. In late 2016 challenges arose in terms of coordination, communication and tracking between one of the clinics, the farm supplying CSA boxes to that site and Petaluma Bounty. All concerned determined it would be best if the Project Lead facilitated regranting of incentives directly with West County Health instead of the original approach. This proved fruitful, and the site is increasing redemption. What we've learned is that working with partners with higher internal capacity to administer incentives is crucial to the success. For example, now we are working with Catholic Charities, and Fresh Approach, both organizations with significant professional staff, compared to the predominantly volunteer?based partnerships we'd worked with at several sites. Going forward we will be working with the Agriculture Institute of Marin in addition. This new focus for the partnerships will significantly increase redemption. Finally, fires that hit Sonoma County in October 2017 impacted two of the farms serving partner sites and moving nutrition incentive dollars. These include Foggy River Farm and Let's Go Farm. We have since helped find an alternative farm to provide CSA boxes with SNAP redemption to replace the first, the other is restarting its operation. In the previous annual report, the project team reported that Catholic Charities was not yet ready to move forward with the project due to limited staff and volunteer time available for implementation. However, following technical assistance, training and outreach support, Catholic Charities launched a CSA program offering SNAP and incentives beginning in Fall 2017. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the reporting period, ISFC hosted our annual conference in March 2018 in Marin City, a low-income community considered a food desert. Workshops included SNAP incentives and how to utilize SNAP at CSAs and Farm Stands. The conference was attended by approximately 100 individuals from 58 faith-based groups. The project team conducted in-person and phone technical assistance sessions and outreach to previously and newly identified local faith-based groups to discuss development of affiliated farm stands, mobile farmers markets, and CSA drop-sites incorporating EBT redemption; Interfaith Food also conducted phone and in-person outreach to local farms to discuss participating in project-affiliated farm stands incorporating SNAP redemption. The project team provided technical assistance in terms of project planning and /or implementation to: Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ; Wat Lao Saysetta; Church of the Incarnation; St. Andrew's Episcopal Church; Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa; Episcopal Senior Services; McGee Ave Baptist Church; Petaluma Bounty; West County Health Center; Windsor United Methodist Church; First Missionary Baptist Church, Love Temple Baptist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Forestville United Methodist Church; Unitarian universalist Congregation of Santa Rosa; Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa; Singing Frogs Farm; What's Up Farm; Let's Go Farm; Laguna Farm; and Sister Womyn Fire Farm. In addition, through outreach to Alameda County government we connected with new partner Fresh Approach to offer 'mobile markets' accepting SNAP at 3 Oakland churches and one in Richmond, CA. We then followed up to identify potential additional and alternative sites including one in Bayview, CA. Outreach to faith-based partners also led to a renewed opportunity to work with First Missionary Baptist Church in Marin City. Outreach led to a new farmers market site at New Hope Baptist Church to take over the Freedom Farmers Market site. Outreach in Marin County also led to an opportunity to support the new Rollin' Root mobile farmers market at Maria B. Freitas Community Center (serving seniors) with SNAP redemption reimbursed by the project. The ISFC team worked together and with evaluator Strategies by Design to create new evaluations following the 2017 prime harvest season; improve outreach efforts to communities of interest; and developing strategies and practices for recruitment and retention of SNAP/CalFresh customers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborates disseminates a monthly newsletter to an average of 1,600 individuals and faith based groups. During the reporting period, 11 newsletters were disseminated to an estimated 725 faith-based groups. Petaluma Bounty disseminated information through their website, blog and through their newsletter to an average of 2,000 individuals each quarter. Our project partners reached an estimated 150 individuals per site through social media and flyers, for an estimated total of 1,200 individuals reached during the reporting period. During the reporting period, the project team worked with the Department of Human Services in Sonoma County to promote Farmers Markets accepting SNAP, which included our project partner, Healthier Choices Market at Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ in Santa Rosa. The Department of Human Services disseminated the list of farm stands accepting SNAP to their confidential and comprehensive list of all SNAP clients in Sonoma County. Estimated numbers of SNAP participants reached are not available due to confidentiality concerns. In addition, the project team requested updated SNAP outreach materials including flyers in English and Spanish as well as other languages, in order to continue outreach through the next quarter. Signage was received which was used at farm stand sales dates throughout the reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, the project team plans to continue technical assistance to First Missionary Baptist Church, Windsor United Methodist Church, Agricultural Institute of Marin Rollin' Root mobile farmers market sites; and other new and existing sites. We will also increase outreach to new and previously established sites, especially in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and potentially in other areas outside of the original target area (pending approval by NIFA staff). In addition, we will be discussing several other program changes with NIFA staff and our partners to increase utilization of incentives.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under Goal 1, ISFC and partners increased SNAP incentives to low-income families through CSA drop sites and farm stands. During the reporting period, an estimated 1,022 SNAP participants were served through 5 CSA drop-sites and 7 farm stands. We also identified 7 new potential farm stands and CSA drop-sites: New Hope Baptist Church, Windsor United Methodist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Love Temple Baptist Church, St. Leo's Catholic Church, First Missionary Baptist Church, and Maria B. Freitas Senior Housing. Between 5 active CSA drop-sites, including Catholic Charities, Petaluma Bounty, and West County Health Center, 68 active households utilizing SNAP benefits purchased CSA produce boxes. We estimate a total of 272 people are served, assuming a family of four is served per each participant picking up the box. An estimated 252 households were served through 7 farm stands. Assuming half of the 252 households served were a family of four and the other half served were a family of two, approximately 750 participants utilized SNAP benefits and nutrition incentives. These numbers may include repeat customers. We worked with an additional 5 partners, including New Hope Baptist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Love Temple Baptist Church, First Missionary Baptist Church, and Maria B. Freitas Senior Housing, to establish new farm sites that offer SNAP incentives at faith-based sites. These partners did not report any SNAP redemption during the reporting period because their sales began after the reporting period or because the stand is still in its planning stages. We expect to see an increase in SNAP redemption at these locations. In addition to establishing new sites, we continued conversations with Fresh Approach to explore options to offer SNAP redemption via its mobile farmers market stops at faith-based sites. One new mobile market stop was established at a Contra Costa Interfaith Housing site during the next reporting period. In addition to work with faith-based communities, project partner Petaluma Bounty administered one farm stand/CSA drop-site at the farm and a farm stand at a participating community health clinic. Interfaith Food gave extensive technical assistance to West County Health Center in administering their own farm stand and CSA drop-site in partnership with a local for-profit farm (this CSA site was previously mentored by Petaluma Bounty). Interfaith Food staff worked closely with Health Center staff and its farm partner to address challenges and to ensure EBT cards could be accepted and incentives were offered. The Health Center's farm stand is become inactive during the reporting period. CSA drop-sites that offered SNAP incentives during the reporting period include: Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa, West County Health Center, Petaluma Bounty Farm, and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Santa Rosa. New partners interested in establishing CSA drop-sites with SNAP included: Windsor United Methodist Church and St. Leo's Catholic Church.. Farm Stands that offered SNAP incentives during the reporting period include: Wat Lao Saysettha, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Monte Rio, Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ Santa Rosa, Farms to Grow, Allen Temple Baptist Church, Petaluma Bounty Farm and Petaluma Health Center. We contracted with 2 new partners to offer $7,354 in SNAP incentives to purchase CSA produce boxes. We also contracted with 2 partners to offer SNAP incentives at farm stands for a total of $3,600 in incentives to distribute as part of matching programs. Total incentive utilized for these and previously established contracts during the reporting period was valued at $6913.75 Some sites including Farms to Grow, Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church halted sales at their produce stands due to a decrease in staff and organizational capacity. For this reason, the project team has focused on establishing CSA and farm stand sites with intermediary organizations that have higher capacity to host CSA or farm stands and manage SNAP incentives. Under Goal 2, we developed the materials and best practices described below throughout the reporting period. The project staff continued to develop and improve materials for EBT trainings for both market staff and farmers, based on conversations and review by USDA FNS officials and by our partners. This process clarified key operational issues essential for training and technical assistance to partners, allowing us to create and distribute stronger training tools for the upcoming season. Interfaith Food staff revised materials on farm stands including an improved decision-tree addressing planning for farm stands offering SNAP redemption. Staff also updated and circulated a CSA Toolkit to workshop and conference attendees and others receiving technical assistance for CSA sites offering SNAP incentives. This includes information regarding SNAP and SNAP reimbursement. Both farmers and faith-based partners all expressed positive feedback in terms of the value of this resource. We also developed a curriculum and organized a training for farmers interested in becoming licensed to accept SNAP. Under Goal 3, the project increased professional development and capacity building for project partners developing CSA and farm stand sites that accept SNAP. We provided technical assistance to 23 volunteers and staff members. Technical assistance includes project planning, SNAP license application assistance, and sales and SNAP incentive data tracking. Participating volunteers and staff included representatives of the following partners: Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Greater Powerhouse Church, Wat Lao Saysetta, Church of Incarnation, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Petaluma Bounty, West County Health Center, McGee Ave Church Berkeley, Windsor United Methodist Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, and First Missionary Baptist Church. We provided technical assistance to 4 farms, including Singing Frog Farms, Let's Go Farm, Laguna Farm, Ortiz Farms, Foggy River Farm, Wildman Farms, and What's Up Farm. We organized 6 trainings for project partners with Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ Santa Rosa, West County Health Center, Church of the Incarnation, St, Andrew's Episcopal Church Monte Rio and Wat Lao Saysetta, including EBT machine training and reporting instructions. Fifteen individuals received training on how to manage SNAP incentives and purchases thus far, including how to utilize EBT machines and report on SNAP transactions. Individuals were representatives of the following partners: Greater Powerhouse Church, Wat Lao Saysetta, Church of Incarnation, Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Singing Frog Farms, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Petaluma Bounty, and West County Health Center. Under Goal 4, the project team has disseminated information about services and resources to farmers and community based partners. We promoted opportunities to utilize SNAP at CSAs and farm stands to a total estimated 10,973 individuals and 725 faith based community organizations during the reporting period through the following: ISFC's monthly newsletter, website, social media; congregational newsletters, social media, and flyers; and Petaluma Bounty's social media, flyers, and event promotion. In addition, we also canvassed and performed in person outreach to residents that live near the following farm stand sites: Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church.
Publications
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Progress 05/15/16 to 03/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Food insecure individuals, including 31% of low-income households in Marin County, 39% of low-income households in Sonoma County, 47% of low-income households in Alameda County, and 44% of low-income households in Contra Costa County, were the main targets reached during the reporting period. Specific demographics and percentages vary by partner site. Faith-based groups served as the way in which to reach food insecure individuals; during the reporting period, we worked with 19 faith-based groups on existing CSA and farm stand projects or planning new CSA and farm stand projects offering SNAP incentives. As previously reported, due to a state grant awarded effective October 2016, Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative (ISFC) was able to expand partnerships to two new California counties not discussed in the original FINI proposal, Alameda and Contra Costa. This will allow for additional and/or alternative FINI CSA and produce stand sites. As previously reported, Interfaith Food did limited outreach and technical assistance to organizations serving communities outside of the original target area on a demand response basis. These included: faith-based groups in Santa Clara, Ventura, San Diego, Sacramento, and Los Angeles counties. We also reached faith-based senior housing facilities, such as Maria B. Freitas Senior Housing, to determine interest in hosting a mobile farmers market, farm stand, or CSA. During the reporting period, following discussion and formal approval by Dr. Clary we expanded outreach and formalized partnerships with groups serving areas including Los Angeles and Fresno counties. In addition to work with faith groups, our nonprofit partner, Petaluma Bounty, reached out to low-income families through other types of community centers and hubs, such as Boys and Girls Club in Petaluma and Petaluma Adult School ESL Classes. Changes/Problems:A no-cost extension was requested and approved through 12/31/19. Substantive information from that request is repeated below: Based on new partnerships and course corrections over the last year we have been able to move incentives at a higher rate than previously. However, as previously reporting, our project has not been moving incentive dollars as anticipated despite our work with 15 partners that committed to offer nutrition incentives. What we've learned is that working with partners with higher internal capacity to administer incentives is crucial to the success. This led us to shift our partnership strategy and we reported last year we are working with Catholic Charities, Fresh Approach and the Agricultural Institute of Marin, organizations with significant professional staff, compared to the predominantly volunteer-based partnerships we'd worked with at several sites. Following the Project Director's meeting in August we worked to establish new relationships with partners in a larger geographic area. These include: Hunger Action Los Angeles, Food Commons and several independent farmers. Challenges reported previous to March, 2019: Our project had not been moving incentive dollars as anticipated despite our work with 11 partner sites we contracted with to offer nutrition incentives. Reasons include: Our contract with NIFA was finalized later than anticipated in 2016 and this resulted in a delay in projected start time of contracts with partners. We did not get key contracts signed with several partners until August and September, leading to a slow start with the main harvest season winding down soon after. This meant that challenges with implementation were hard to evaluate and address in 2016. We have had multiple, ongoing challenges with partners rolling out incentives on small scale produce stands. Most significantly, there were problems with sites securing FNS (Food and Nutrition Service) licenses and EBT machines for produce stands and CSA sites. One key farm partner, Laguna Farm, chose to discontinue accepting SNAP at its CSA program; another, First Light Farm, had an ownership change that reduced capacity to administer SNAP at CSA's. In addition, though our original proposal focused primarily on partnerships with faith based groups, we also budgeted significant funds for a secular non-profit partner to lead distribution of incentives with its own farm and through several partnerships with local health clinics. In late 2016 challenges arose in terms of coordination, communication and tracking between one of the clinics, the farm supplying CSA boxes to that site and Petaluma Bounty. All concerned determined it would be best if the Project Lead facilitated regranting of incentives directly with West County Health instead of the original approach. This proved fruitful, and the site is increasing redemption. Fires that hit Sonoma County in October 2017 impacted two of the farms serving partner sites and moving nutrition incentive dollars. These include Foggy River Farm and Let's Go Farm. We have since helped find an alternative farm to provide CSA boxes with SNAP redemption to replace the first, the other is restarting its operation. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?ISFC hosted three annual conferences in communities in three California Counties active with SNAP incentive work. Workshop topics included SNAP incentives and how to utilize SNAP at CSAs and Farm Stands. The conferences were attended by approximately 290 individuals from some 90 faith-based groups. Interfaith Food staff also organized and conducted two webinars for 12 farms interested in accepting CalFresh and offering CalFresh incentives to their CSA and/or produce stand customers paying with CalFresh. In addition, project staff received Professional Development by participating in national FINI webinars organized by Westat. Interfaith Food also presented at the December FINI Network webinar and participated in other webinars as professional development opportunities. In September 2018, Interfaith Food Outreach Program Associate LaSette Sewell attended the National Direct Agricultural Marketing Summit organized by the USDA. Interfaith Food Executive Director, Steve Schwartz attended all FINI Project Directors meeting in Washington, D.C. during the life of the project. The project increased professional development and capacity building for project partners developing CSA and farm stand sites that accept SNAP. We provided technical assistance to 33 volunteers and staff members. Technical assistance includes project planning, SNAP license application assistance, and sales and SNAP incentive data tracking. Participating volunteers and staff included representatives of the following partners: Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Wat Lao Saysettha, Church of Incarnation, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Petaluma Bounty, West County Health Center, Windsor United Methodist Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Freedom Farmers Market, Allen Temple Baptist Church, St, Stephen's Episcopal Church, Windsor Presbyterian Church, Hunger Action LA, Agricultural Institute of Marin, Fresh Approach, and First Missionary Baptist Church. We also provided technical assistance to 84 farms, including Singing Frog Farms, Let's Go Farm, West Sacramento Urban Farms, Fresno Food Commons, Covelo Organics, Eatwell Farm, Full Belly Farm, and Green Gulch Farm. In addition, through outreach to Alameda County government we connected with partner Fresh Approach to offer 'mobile markets' accepting SNAP at 3 Oakland churches and one in Richmond, CA. We then followed up to identify potential additional and alternative sites including one in Bayview, CA. The ISFC team worked together and with independent evaluator Strategies by Design to create new evaluations following the 2017 prime harvest season; improve outreach efforts to communities of interest; and developing strategies and practices for recruitment and retention of SNAP/CalFresh customers. Focus groups for CalFresh clients and one focus group for farmers participating in the project were held to glean challenges and successes with project implementation. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborates disseminates an electronic newsletter to an average of 3,000 individuals and faith based groups. Newsletters were disseminated regularly to faith-based groups growing from some 725 at the start of the project to 2,500 groups on the newsletter circulation list by the end of the project. Petaluma Bounty disseminated information through their website, blog and through their newsletter to an average of 2,000 individuals each quarter. Our project partners reached an estimated 150 individuals per site through social media and flyers, for an estimated total of 1,200 individuals reached during the reporting period. As previously reported, the project team contacted the Department of Human Services in Alameda County to promote a CSA project accepting SNAP organized by our partner St. Alban's Church. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborates disseminates an electronic newsletter to an average of 3,000 individuals and faith based groups. Newsletters were disseminated regularly to faith-based groups growing from some 725 at the start of the project to 2,500 groups on the newsletter circulation list by the end of the project. Petaluma Bounty disseminated information through their website, blog and through their newsletter to an average of 2,000 individuals each quarter. Our project partners reached an estimated 150 individuals per site through social media and flyers, for an estimated total of 1,200 individuals reached during the reporting period. As previously reported, the project team contacted the Department of Human Services in Alameda County to promote a CSA project accepting SNAP organized by our partner St. Alban's Church. We also presented to the larger FINI/GusNIP community on a Westat webinar broadcast nationally. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?While the project has been completed many of the partnerships developed are continuing. Several are working with new GusNIP awardees to continue the same projects.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under Goal 1, ISFC and partners increased SNAP incentives to low-income families through CSA drop sites and farm stands. During the project, an estimated 5,168 SNAP participants were served through 11 CSA drop-sites and 12 farmers' markets and farm stands. New sites include that redeemed incentive under the grant after the previous reporting: Covelo Organics (Mendocino County), Soil Borne Farm (Sacramento) and International Rescue Committee (W. Sacramento). During the 840 SNAP participants were served through CSA's through project. Sites include: Hunger Action LA (serves 3 farmers markets), St. Alban's, Fresno Food Commons, and Church of the Incarnation. Between 8 active CSA drop-sites, including Catholic Charities, Petaluma Bounty, Fresno Food Commons, Soil Borne Farm, Covelo Organics, International Rescue Committee (W. Sacaramento) and West County Health Center, 210active households utilizing SNAP benefits purchased CSA produce boxes. We estimated a total of 840 people were served, assuming a family of four is served per each participant picking up the box. An estimated 3,051 households were served through 12 farmers markets, and farm stands. Assuming half of the 1,443 households served were a family of four and the other half served were a family of two, approximately 4,328 participants utilized SNAP benefits and nutrition incentives. These numbers may include repeat customers. Beginning in 2019 we worked with an additional 6 partners that were key to the success in moving incentives per the budget: Fresno Food Commons, Hunger Action LA, Soil Borne Farm, International Rescue Committee (W. Sacramento) and Covelo Organics which operated farmers markets and CSA drop sites that offer SNAP incentives at faith-based sites. These partners demonstrated a significant redemption which is expected to increase incentives distribution. We previously reported in period ending March, 2019, following approval from NIFA we expanded the scope of the counties where we advance 11 partnerships that resulted in sub-contracts for redemption of incentive. In addition to work with faith-based communities, project partner Petaluma Bounty administered one farm stand/CSA drop-site at the farm and a farm stand at a participating community health clinic. Interfaith Food gave extensive technical assistance to West County Health Center in administering their own farm stand and CSA drop-site in partnership with a local for-profit farm. CSA drop-sites that offered SNAP incentives included: Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa, Windsor United Methodist Church, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Church of the Incarnation, Laguna Farms, Covelo Organics, Soil Borne Farm, IRC (W. Sacramento), Farms to Grow, Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Rosa, Petaluma Bounty Farm, and Fresno Food Commons. We contracted with 3 new partners that successfully redeemed SNAP incentives purchase produce through CSA, farmers' markets, or produce stands since the previous reporting period. Total incentive utilized for these and previously established contracts from April 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 was valued at $49,502.38, for a total of $65,827.45 during the life of the project. This represents very high growth in amount of incentives redeemed compared to previous periods. In 2019 we worked to increase outreach to potential clients in both new and previously established sites, especially in Alameda and Contra Costa counties; and expanded to a selected partner sites in Mendocino, Yolo, Sacramento, Fresno and Los Angeles counties. After receiving approval in February, 2019 from NIFA to expand the geographical scope of the project and implement program design changes which led to large growth in the amount of incentives being delivered to the target audience. Redemption incentives increased by more than 7 times higher than any other reporting period. Success in utilizing all budgeted incentives was based on changes including: Expanding CSA incentive match to farms serving CSA drop-sites and produce stands that are not directly related to a faith-based site. Expanding to serve a 4 farmers markets located at faith-based sites (e.g. church parking lots) Allowing partner sites to offer incentive for fruit and vegetable purchases based on SNAP purchases of fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry or dairy products. Under Goal 2, we developed the materials and best practices described below throughout the reporting period. The project staff continued to develop and improve materials for EBT trainings for both market staff and farmers, based on conversations and review by USDA FNS officials and by our partners. This process clarified key operational issues essential for training and technical assistance to partners, allowing us to create and distribute stronger training tools for the upcoming season. Interfaith Food staff revised its list of farmer partners seeking marketing relationships with faith-based groups interested in organizing CSA or farm stand projects offering SNAP redemption. Staff also updated and circulated a CSA Toolkit to workshop and conference attendees and others receiving technical assistance for CSA sites offering SNAP incentives. This includes information regarding SNAP and SNAP reimbursement. Both farmers and faith-based partners all expressed positive feedback in terms of the value of this resource. We also developed a curriculum and organized a training for farmers interested in becoming licensed to accept SNAP. Under Goal 3, the project increased professional development and capacity building for project partners developing CSA and farm stand sites that accept SNAP. To date, beneficiaries include more than 460 farmers, staff and volunteers with organizations implementing or interested in implementing SNAP incentive programming at CSAs and farm stands. We provided technical assistance to more than 52 volunteers and staff members. Technical assistance includes project planning, SNAP license application assistance, and sales and SNAP incentive data tracking. Participating volunteers and staff included representatives of the following partners: Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Wat Lao Saysettha, Church of Incarnation, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Petaluma Bounty, West County Health Center, Windsor United Methodist Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, Freedom Farmers Market, Allen Temple Baptist Church, St, Stephen's Episcopal Church, Windsor Presbyterian Church, Hunger Action LA, Agricultural Institute of Marin, Fresh Approach, and First Missionary Baptist Church. We also provided technical assistance to 14 farms, including Deep Seeded Farm, International Rescue Committee, the Abundant Table, Live Power Farm, Redwood Roots Farm, Cosanova, Singing Frog Farms, Soil Borne Farm, Let's Go Farm, West Sacramento Urban Farms, Fresno Food Commons, Covelo Organics, Eatwell Farm, Full Belly Farm, and Green Gulch Farm. We organized 7 trainings serving 11 individuals affiliated with project partners.Training included EBT machine training, SNAP and SNAP incentive data collection, and reporting instructions. Under Goal 4, the project team has disseminated information about services and resources to farmers and community based partners. We promoted opportunities to utilize SNAP at CSAs and farm stands to a total estimated 10,355 individuals and 725 faith based community organizations during the reporting period through the following: ISFC's monthly newsletter, website, social media; congregational newsletters, social media, and flyers; and project partners' social media, flyers, and CSA or produce stand promotion. In addition, we also canvassed and performed in person outreach to residents that live near the Fresh Approach mobile farmers market site at Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
See Products CSA Handbook and fact sheets.
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Progress 05/15/16 to 05/14/17
Outputs
Target Audience: Food insecure individuals, including 31% of low-income households in Marin County, 39% of low-income households in Sonoma County, 47% of low-income households in Alameda County, and 44% of low-income households in Contra Costa County, were the main targets reached during the reporting period. Specific demographics and percentages vary by partner site. Faith-based groups served as the way in which to reach food insecure individuals; during the reporting period, we worked with 20 faith-based groups on existing CSA and farm stand projects or planning new CSA and farm stand projects offering SNAP incentives. (After the reporting period, we provided training and technical assistance to 7 additional faith-based groups that expressed interest in new CSA and farm stands partnerships.) Due to a grant awarded effective October 2016, Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative (ISFC) was able to expand partnerships to two new California counties not discussed in the original FINI proposal, Alameda and Contra Costa. This will allow for additional and/or alternative FINI CSA and produce stand sites. In addition to work with faith groups, our nonprofit partner, Petaluma Bounty, reached out to low-income families through other types of community centers and hubs, such as Boys and Girls Club in Petaluma and Petaluma Adult School ESL Classes. Changes/Problems:Our project includes an expansion to Alameda and Contra Costa counties to reach more food insecure individuals in those counties. Outreach to the new project area is well underway at the time of this report. 4 partners who wrote initial letters of support during the application stage have decided to not move forward with the project. Bethlehem Lutheran established a new CSA drop-site, but ceased to offer SNAP incentives due to low SNAP redemption and not having an EBT machine available from the farm after the farm's machine broke. United Church of Christ Cloverdale and Windsor Presbyterian Church chose not to move forward with the project due to limited staff and volunteer time available for implementation. Village Baptist Church established a farm stand with SNAP incentives, but did not continue due to limited staff time and not having an EBT machine from the farm after the farm's machine broke. In addition, Catholic Charities Santa Rosa was not ready to move forward with their farm stand. Internal meetings with Catholic Charities and Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborative staff took place during this time, in order to answer questions and move forward with the project. Many of our faith-based partners did not sign contracts until late in the season in September. Because of this, most partners did not receive machines or licenses until late in the season; unfortunately, SNAP transactions did not occur during a majority of the 2016 season. In addition, two major staff transitions occurred during the reporting period at the beginning of the 2017 season. During the reporting period, the project team focused more time on addressing issues that farm stand partners were facing which were largely centered around licensing and securing EBT machines or farm partners with machines. In retrospect, the project team should have dedicated more time to support new CSA drop-sites for which the model was more straight-forward and established. Temporary staff and transitions have caused a full turnover of team members at West County Health Center which made consistency and communication difficult. A delayed start meant that the first draft of protocols did not reflect all the needed information and some data was collected retroactively, meaning that more time was spent on administration as opposed to participant recruitment and outreach. (Note: Subsequent to the time of this report, West County Health Center has a primary staff administrator and lead volunteer to organize the 2017 peak harvest season and has received more technical assistance from ISFC.) Similarly, Petaluma Bounty is utilizing interns to implement programming at some sites. While the interns are fully committed during their tenure, a longer-term volunteer would allow for more relationship building and process improvement. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the reporting period, ISFC hosted our annual conference in March 2017 in Berkeley. Workshops included SNAP incentives and how to utilize SNAP at CSAs and Farm Stands. The conference was attended by approximately 50 individuals from 27 faith-based groups. The project team conducted in-person technical assistance sessions and phone outreach to previously and newly identified local faith-based groups to discuss development of affiliated farm stands and CSA drop-sites incorporating EBT redemption; and conducted phone and in-person outreach to local farms to discuss participating in 6 project-affiliated farm stands s incorporating SNAP redemption. The project team provided technical assistance in terms of planning and /or implementation to Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ, Santa Rosa; Wat Lao Saysetta , Church of the Incarnation/St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Monte Rio; Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa; Episcopal Senior Services; McGee Avenue Baptist Church, Berkeley; and Kenwood Presbyterian Church. In addition, through outreach to Alameda County government, we got in touch with lay leader Raheema Nitoto who is leading an effort to offer 'mobile markets' accepting SNAP at 3 Oakland churches. Three churches are on the 'waiting list' to participate as funding is available; we are exploring opportunities to work with them to determine if they need assistance developing farm stands' capacity to redeem SNAP. Project partner Petaluma Bounty conducted training and improved administrative systems during the reporting period including beta versions of accounting protocols, volunteer farm stand staffing, reporting and data collection, post CSA season surveys, back up documentation, and year end evaluation. Petaluma Bounty intends to publish and share updated procedures on the aforementioned documents during training of new farm stand volunteers at both Bounty and West County Health sites during the new 2017 season. Finalized versions of reimbursement invoices are also in use to ensure more efficient tracking occurs. New streamlined processes will also allow Petaluma Bounty to focus on program improvements and outreach. Petaluma Bounty and ISFC will work together and with evaluator Strategies by Design to create new evaluations for the upcoming 2017 prime harvest season; improve outreach efforts to communities of interest; and developing strategies and practices for recruitment and retention of SNAP/CalFresh customers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Interfaith Sustainable Food Collaborates disseminates a monthly newsletter to an average of 1,773 individuals and faith-based groups. During the reporting period, 11 newsletters were disseminated to an estimated 725 faith-based groups. Petaluma Bounty disseminated information through their website, blog and through their newsletter to an average of 2,000 individuals each quarter. Our project partners reached an estimated 150 individuals per site through social media and flyers, for an estimated total of 1,200 individuals reached during the reporting period. During the reporting period, the project team worked with the Department of Human Services in Sonoma County to promote Farmers Markets accepting SNAP, which included our project partner, Healthier Choices Market at Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ in Santa Rosa. The Department of Human Services disseminated the list of farm stands accepting SNAP to their confidential and comprehensive list of all SNAP clients in Sonoma County. Estimated numbers of SNAP participants reached are not available due to confidentiality concerns. In addition, the project team requested updated SNAP outreach materials including flyers in English and Spanish as well as other languages, in order to continue outreach through the next quarter. Signage was received which was used at farm stand sales dates in April and May 2017 and will continue to be used throughout the project in the future. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will increase outreach to new areas, especially in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. During the reporting period, a long-term staff member left ISFC and we transitioned to two new staff members; the new period will include strengthening new staff training to improve outreach and technical assistance, as well as streamline processes. Petaluma Bounty is planning to utilize new outreach methods to promote CSAs and farm stands, through online sources, schools, health fairs. In addition, Petaluma Bounty is planning to develop materials and increase sign-ups for the program 1-2 months before the start of the program, earlier than in prior years. (Note: Subsequent to the reporting period, we have begun to see an increase in SNAP transactions and have redoubled our outreach methods.)
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Under Goal 1, ISFC and partners increased SNAP incentives to low-income families through CSA drop sites and farm stands. During the reporting period, an estimated 625 SNAP recipients were served through 3 CSA drop-sites and 3farm stands. We worked with 9 farm stands and CSA drop-sites and identified 5 new potential farm stands and CSA drop-sites. Between 3 active CSA drop-sites, including Catholic Charities, Petaluma Bounty, and West County Health Center, 37 active participants utilizing SNAP benefits purchased CSA produce boxes. We estimate a total of 148 people are served, assuming a family of four is served per each participant picking up the box. An estimated 159households were served through 3 farm stands. Assuming half of the 159 households served were a family of four and the other half served were a family of two, approximately 477 participants utilized SNAP benefits and nutrition incentives. These numbers may include repeat customers. We worked with an additional 3 partners, including Church of Incarnation/St. Andrew's Church, Healthier Choices Market at Greater Powerhouse, and Wat Lao Saysetta, to establish new farm sites at faith-based sites. Due to a delay in receiving SNAP authorization licenses until after the key harvest season in 2016, these partners did not report any SNAP redemption duringthe reporting period. However, all 3 sites have started their farm stands during the 2017 peak harvest season and we expect to see an increase in SNAP redemption at these locations. In addition to new sites, we continued conversations with Episcopal Senior Services that runs several farm standsand expressed a commitment to offer SNAP redemption. We began conversationswith Fresh Approach to explore options to offer SNAP redemption through mobile markets at faith-based sites. In addition to work with faith-based communities, project partner Petaluma Bounty administered one farm stand/CSA drop-site at the farm and a farm stand at a participating community health clinic and mentored West County Health Center in launching and administering their own farm stand/CSA drop-site in partnership with a for-profit farm. CSA drop-sites: CSA drop-sites that currently offer SNAP include: Catholic Charities, West County Health Center, Petaluma Bounty Farm New partners interested in establishing CSA drop-sites withSNAP included: Church of Incarnation, Seventh Day Adventist Church in Healdsburg, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa Farm stands Farm Stands that Currently Offer SNAP: Wat Lao Saysettha, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Monte Rio, Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ Santa Rosa, West County Health Center, Petaluma Bounty Farm and Petaluma Health Center Farm Stands that do not offer SNAP, but are interested include: Episcopal Senior Services Interested in offering SNAP through new farm stands: McGee Ave Baptist Church, Kenwood Presbyterian Church, Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Freedom Farmer's Market at Telegraph Community Ministry Center operated by Farms to Grow. (Note: The project team worked to develop new sites after the reporting period, including new CSA drop-sites at Church of Incarnation and Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa and new farm stands at Freedom Farmer's Market at the Telegraph Community Ministry Center.) We contracted with 3 Partners to offer $10,000 in SNAP incentives to purchase CSA produce boxes. Of the contracted amount, $2,164 has been provided as incentives at three sites during the reporting period. We also initiated a new contract with Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa to offer $2400 in incentives through a new CSA drop-site. We contracted with 4 partners to offer SNAP incentives at farm stands for a total of $6,600 in incentives to distribute as part of matching programs. During the reporting period, we have provided a total of $938.86 at 3 farm stand sites. The other sites did not have their EBT machine until after the prime harvest season in 2016. The prime harvest season ends in mid to late October. (Note: We have seen an increase in incentives offered at farm stands to date, after the reporting period.) Total incentive utilized was valued at $3102.86 Under Goal 2, we developed the following materials and best practices throughout the reporting period. The project staff developed stronger materials for EBT trainings for both market staff and farmers, based on conversations and review by USDA FNS officials. This process clarified key operational issues essential for training and technical assistance to partners, allowing us to create and distribute stronger training tools for the upcoming season. The ISFC staff developed and revised materials on farm stands including an improved decision-tree addressing planning for farm stands offering SNAP redemption. Staff also updated and circulated a CSA Toolkit to workshop and conference attendees and others receiving technical assistance. This includes information regarding SNAP and SNAP reimbursement. Both farmers and faith-based partners all expressed positive feedback in terms of the value of this resource. Under Goal 3, the project increased professional development and capacity building for project partners developing CSA and farm stand sites that accept SNAP. We provided technical assistance to 33 volunteers and staff members. Technical assistance includes project planning and SNAP license application assistance. Volunteers and staff were representatives of the following partners: Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Greater Powerhouse Church, Wat Lao Saysetta, Church of Incarnation, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Petaluma Bounty, West County Health Center, Bethlehem Lutheran, Village Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church San Rafael, McGee Ave Church Berkeley, and Friends House. We provided technical assistance to 4 farms, including Singing Frog Farms, Let's Go Farm, Laguna Farm, and What's Up Farm. We also identified 4 farms interested in receiving training on SNAP retailer licenses and SNAP redemption, including Sister Womyn Fire Farms, Buttercup Farms, Full Belly Farms and Valley End Farm. We organized 6 trainings for project partners with Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Greater Powerhouse Church of God in Christ Santa Rosa and Wat Lao Saysetta, including EBT machine training and reporting instructions. 31 individuals received training on how to manage SNAP incentives and purchases thus far, including how to utilize EBT machines and report on SNAP transactions. Individuals were representatives of the following partners: Greater Powerhouse Church, Wat Lao Saysetta, Church of Incarnation, Catholic Charities Santa Rosa, Unitarian Universalist Santa Rosa, Let's Go Farm, Singing Frog Farms, Petaluma Bounty, West County Health Center, and McGee Ave Church. Under Goal 4, the project team has disseminated information about services and resources to farmers and community based partners. We promoted opportunities to utilize SNAP at CSAs and farm stands to a total estimated 10,973 individuals and 725 faith-based community organizations during the reporting period through the following: ISFC's monthly newsletter, website, social media; congregational newsletters, social media, and flyers; and Petaluma Bounty's social media, flyers, and event promotion. In addition, we also reached all of Sonoma County's SNAP participants through the Sonoma County Department of Human Services newsletter. Estimated numbers of SNAP participants reached are not available at this time. In March 2017, ISFC administered a survey to 443 farms in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to introduce farmers to opportunities to partner with congregations to provide SNAP incentives at CSAs and farm stands. We also reached out to 5 farms to start a more formal partnership with congregations interested in becoming a CSA drop-site, including Laguna Farm, What's Up Farm, Fully Belly Farm, Let's Go Farm, and Catalan Family Farms.
Publications
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