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
Case Restrictions
Dry goods have been impacted by interruptions in the food supply chain, and demand across the state has increased. Due to distribution outpacing the arrival of these products, The Idaho Foodbank will be placing case restrictions on certain dry good items starting May 1st. This will allow us to maintain equitable access to these items for all of our partners in Idaho. No more than 10 units of items such as peanut butter, tuna fish, canned vegetables, and canned meals will be able to be ordered per delivery or pick up. The unit is defined as the way the item is stocked – for example if the item is stocked as a case, the limit will be 10 cases.

There will not be restrictions on food drive products (repack) and other specific dry goods that we have an abundance of. As supply increases, restrictions will be removed from these items. There will continue to be no restrictions on cooler and freezer items.

Reminder: Warm Weather is Coming, Keep Food Safe
With warm weather approaching, we would like to remind partners who pick up from the warehouses in Meridian, Pocatello and Lewiston to bring their insulated freezer blankets. If your organization needs a blanket, there are several places you can purchase one for under $200, including Amazon, Uline, or Grainger.

You are Invited – The Idaho Foodbank Partner Conferences
The Idaho Foodbank’s Partner Conferences are designed to bring food pantry and meal site coordinators, staff and volunteers together with the healthcare and social service community. The goal is to promote community health, food security and access to food resources. Food pantry and healthcare partnership activities are critical to positive community health, individual health and good economic outcomes.

Upcoming Partner Conferences:

North Central Idaho partners can attend the Conference in Lewiston on April 14th or in Moscow on April 20th. Both conferences are from 9am to 3pm. Snacks and lunch will be provided. Click here to register for The Idaho Foodbank’s North Central Conference.
- Topics include – Hunger to Health education and peer experiences; Healthy Pantry Framework; regional updates; and individual organization reports.
Southwest Idaho partners can attend the Hunger to Health Forum virtually on April 28th from 2:30pm to 4:30 pm. Click here to register for The Idaho Foodbank’s Southwest Conference.
- Topics include -- Increasing food access; the intersection of health & nutrition; and choice vs. circumstance.
More information is coming soon about the partner events in Eastern Idaho!

The Idaho Foodbank Warehouse Closures
All warehouse locations for The Idaho Foodbank will be closed to partner food deliveries and pick up on Thursday, April 28th and Friday, April 29th for our quarterly inventory. Inventory checks allow for a better shopping experience for all partners. If you have a delivery or pick up to reschedule, please reach out to Partnerships@IdahoFoodbank.org for assistance.

Upcoming Conversations - Save the Date

Partner Training Sessions
Did you miss our latest training session on food safety and pantry best practices? You can view the recording by clicking here: Food Safety & Pantry Best Practices. Be sure to save the date for the next session using this Zoom link to join on the following days/times:

Ordering/Reporting in Agency Express – May 2nd at 2 pm MDT/1 pm PDT
Nourish Toolkit Implementation - May 25th at 1 pm MDT/12 pm PDT
TEFAP on Mobiles – June 9th at 2 pm MDT/1 pm PDT
Mobile Reporting – July 13th at 3 pm MDT/2 pm PDT

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.

Local Meetings by Region - held on this Zoom link

North Central: Partners in Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis & Nez Perce Counties
- Join us at 12 pm PDT on March 23, May 18 & June 15
Southwest 1: Partners in Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette & Washington Counties
- Join us at 3 pm MDT on April 7, August 4 & November 3
Southwest 2: Partners in Ada, Boise, Elmore, & Valley Counties
- Join us at 4 pm MDT on April 7, August 4 & November 3
East: Partners in Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power, & Teton Counties
- Join us at 12pm MDT on April 8, August 11 & October 28
Southcentral: Partners in Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, & Twin Falls Counties
- Please join either of the Southwest meetings until a SC Regional Coordinator to support these conversations is hired.

Partner Highlight
Payette Nazarene Pantry & Mobile
The Payette Nazarene Pantry & Mobile, affectionately named PayNaz, serves an average of 400 households per month. The church utilizes a diverse volunteer staff of about 30 – they are all enthusiastic about this work and dedicated to their mission. These volunteers not only provide drive-through mobile service, they also build boxes and deliver them to between 80 and 125 neighbors who are unable to get to the distribution. They also deliver to teachers at the local school who are unable to attend the distribution due to school hours. As if all of that wasn’t enough, they also operate a well-stocked pantry offering a nice range of products. Thank you PayNaz for all of your work in building food security!

Nonprofit Updates
Idaho Gives Registration Deadline is Tomorrow 
The deadline for organizations to register to participate in Idaho Gives is TOMORROW, Friday April 15th. Idaho Gives – a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center – is designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits. Historically, this has been one day of giving, however the online giving period has been extended due to the increased need for support of nonprofit sector because of the pandemic. Idaho Gives will take place from May 2nd -May 5th. IdahoGives.org provides an easy-to-use platform for donors to search, support and donate to Idaho nonprofits.

Idaho Gives can be a great way to boost your organization’s fundraising efforts and provides eligible nonprofits the opportunity to reach potential new donors with the visibility that the statewide effort generates. The Idaho Nonprofit Center promotes and advertises Idaho Gives in all regions and communities in Idaho. To learn how to register and participate successfully, visit https://www.idahogives.org/info/faq .  

We want to support your efforts! If you decide to participate, once registered, please notify The Idaho Foodbank by sending an email to clincoln@idahofoodbank.org so we can highlight your giving page on our social media platforms.  

Grant Opportunity: Sparklight
Sparklight opened their grant application on April 1st and are focusing on three areas of investment, including hunger relief. If your organization is interested in applying for this opportunity, applications are accepted in April and October of each year and funds are generally granted in May and November. The deadline for receipt of applications for this spring is April 30th. Access the application here.

Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger 
Save the Date for the Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger's Spring Forum on Thursday, April 28th from 7 - 8:30 pm MDT. This year’s virtual forum will be centered around the theme of Nutritional Security - It's Not Just About Full Bellies. As you all experience every day, eliminating hunger goes beyond feeding people. Nutrition impacts overall health and wellbeing, as well as cultural identity. Please consider attending and share the conference information with your organization, community and social networks. Click HERE to download a flyer and HERE to register for the event. 

Wellness Corner
Rethink Your Drink
How much sugar is actually in your drink? What drinks do you provide to neighbors at your food distribution? The information on the images below are great to share on your social media pages and have great information as we think about the beverages we drink during our day!

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.