Hello!

We are honored to partner with you in the commitment to end childhood hunger in Idaho!

THANK YOU!

The Idaho Foodbank Updates

Annual Program Application
Thank you for participating in alleviating hunger in your school! To participate in the school year 2022-2023, existing school partners were sent a mini-application link and materials April 25th, The due date for enrollment is May 13, 2022. If you have questions, please email Jessie Miller at gmiller@idahofoodbank.org.

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.

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 28^th and Friday, April 29^th 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 your local warehouse for assistance.

Southwest/South Central: Gisele “Jessie” Miller, gmiller@idahofoodbank.org
Eastern: Cecilia Watson, ceciliawatson@idahofoodbank.org
North Central: Lisa Turpin, lturpin@idahofoodbank.org

Grant Opportunity: Sparklight
Sparklight opened their grant application on April 1^st 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 30^th. Access the application here.

Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger
Save the Date for the Idaho Interfaith Roundtable Against Hunger's Spring Forum on Thursday, April 28^th 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.

School Pantry Product Highlight

Nutrient dense and delicious seeds including lentils (Product Item 23D0248 in Ceres), pinto beans (23D0023), garbanzo beans (27D0434) and peas (27SG009) are a great source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. We often hear questions on how to prepare them. USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USA Pulses), located in Moscow, Idaho has simple 3-step methods to cook them, like the one shown for beans below. Consider adding the image below to your shelves or in another place families can access.

Try one of their recipes like Jamaican Red Beans and Rice using pinto beans. No sweet potato for the recipe? No problem! Substitute with sliced carrots (27D0434). This recipe would be delicious served over cooked rice, either brown (24D0248) or long grain white rice (24D0036).

USA Pulses has recipes for every occasion from breakfasts to desserts located here.

School Partner Highlight

All Coordinators, support staff, and volunteers!
April is volunteer appreciation month and we want to take a moment to thank you for all your hard work. As the school year nears the end, we want to acknowledge you as advocates for the children and families in your communities. Without your commitment, time and effort, backpacks and food pantry items wouldn’t be distributed to our neighbors in need. Thank you for being a force for change in so many ways!

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 an IFB team member. Email us at: nutrition@idahofoodbank.org.