Hello!

Welcome to your bimonthly source of information from The Idaho Foodbank. Please contact us if you have information to share, need to add someone to this distribution list, or have other inquiries: Partnerships@IdahoFoodbank.org.

The Idaho Foodbank Updates

Reminder: Applications Required Again for Free and Reduced Price School Lunch

Families who need assistance paying for school meals will be required to submit an application for free and reduced-price school meals for the first time since 2020. Families should reach out to their school or their school district directly to learn more or fill out an application.

Families that participate in federal assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI) automatically qualify. Those families on Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) automatically qualify for the program, but an application may still be required to participate. Families may also qualify for free and reduced price meals based on income guidelines and do not need to be enrolled in an assistance program to access meals.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the full price of meals was temporarily covered for all students, and no application was required. You can learn more on the State Department of Education website here.

Food Locator QR

The Idaho Foodbank has a QR code for its food assistance locator. It is a great way to help clients find other pantries in their area through their smart phones. Please consider sharing this with your neighbors and those who visit your pantry.

Partner Training Sessions
The team at The Idaho Foodbank is offering sessions to help train your new staff and volunteers. This can also be a refresher session for your existing food distribution team members. Please save the date for the next session and use this Zoom link to join on the following days/times:

Ordering/Reporting in Agency Express- August 18 at 10 am MDT/9 am MDT

If you have ideas on sessions that would be helpful to your organization and team, please let us know by sending an e-mail to Partnerships@IdahoFoodbank.org.

Upcoming Conversations - Save the Date

Local Meetings by Region - held on this Zoom link unless otherwise noted below

Partners in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis & Nez Perce Counties
- Join us at 12 pm PDT on September 29
Partners in Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette & Washington Counties
- Join us at 3 pm MDT on November 2
Partners in Ada, Boise, Elmore, & Valley Counties
- Join us at 3 pm MDT on November 2
Partners in Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Elmore, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka & Twin Falls Counties
- Join us at 1 pm on November 4
Partners in Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power, & Teton Counties
- Join us at 12 pm MDT on August 22 & October 28

Harvest Season and Agricultural Generosity
We are so fortunate to live in a state with an incredibly generous agricultural community. As harvest season begins and we enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, we want to take a moment to acknowledge our generous agricultural donors across the state. In fiscal year 2022, 26 percent of The Idaho Foodbank’s donated food came from manufacturers, distributors, and growers.

We are fortunate to have a great partnership with Global Gardens, a program of the Idaho Office for Refugees and Jannus, Inc. You can read the full story on our website here.

Nonprofit Updates
Idaho Nonprofit Center Annual Conference
The Idaho Nonprofit Center is hosting its annual Nonprofit Statewide Conference online from August 30- September 1. The conference will bring together nonprofit professionals throughout Idaho to address critical issues and opportunities in the nonprofit sector. For more information, please check the following link.

Partner Highlight
BSU Food Pantry

Boise State University Food Pantry has been doing many incredible things since it opened its food pantry. They have a walk-in grocery store type of set-up so that students can get food assistance throughout the day.

They were recently recognized in our pilot program Healthy Pantry Framework: Nutrition Forward for implementing nudges for nutritious food such as shelf talkers, recipe card bundles, and signage on different options. They were also able to secure funding to expand their pantry and provide more shelving to hold more items. This comes at a great time for the growth they have experienced. The BSU Food Pantry was able to add some fridges/freezers so they can have cold and frozen items available.

The Idaho Foodbank (IFB) Team presents the Healthy Pantry Framework recognition certificate to the BSU Pantry Team at the IFB Meridian facility.

The BSU Campus Food Pantry

Wellness Corner
Whether your job means you are primarily working at a desk or on your feet, you can benefit from regular stretching. Studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggest that consistent stretching programs increase range of motion, reduce ergonomic injuries and increase overall feeling of well–being.

The NIH has a list of exercises and stretching that you can try.

Happy to help.

Reach out to us if you have a highlight to share, have questions, or would like to connect with a Community Partner team member. Email us at: Partnerships@IdahoFoodbank.org.