WHAT FOLLOWS… 1. Food insecurity and hunger in Montgomery County 2. Implications and cost to the County 3. Our 50-year-old model 4. Progress in A 21 st century solution

FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER In 2012, almost 70,000 County residents received monthly SNAP benefits, a 12% increase from 2011, and a 151% increase from (MD Hunger Solutions) 35,390 children in Montgomery County, live in “food insecure” households, uncertain where their next meal is coming from. (Feeding America) +151% County residents receiving SNAP benefits

FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER More than 1 in 3 MCPS students qualify for Free and Reduced Meals, over 51,000 children, which is more children than are enrolled in the DC Public School system. (MCPS) 8,060 County seniors, live below the poverty line, up 29.5% from 2009, and that number is expected to continue to increase. (Montgomery County Senior Sub Committee on Vital Living)

FOOD INSECURITY AND HUNGER Funding for the MCHHS Senior Food program has remained unchanged since FY11, while seniors within the program have increased by 25%. (Montgomery County Senior Sub Committee on Vital Living) To be self-sufficient in Montgomery County, a single adult needs to make $17 per hour. (Maryland Community Action Partnership)  Even with planned wage increases to $11.50 by 2017, County residents will be severely challenged.

IMPLICATIONS AND COST TO THE COUNTY Poverty, itself, hurts our ability to make decisions about school, finances, and life, imposing a mental burden similar to losing 13 IQ points. – Science, August 2013 Healthy kids learn, unhealthy kids don’t. In the No Kid Hungry Survey of teachers, teachers said hungry kids:  can’t concentrate (88% agree)  lack energy (82%)  show poor academic performance (82%)  cause discipline problems (67%)

IMPLICATIONS AND COST TO THE COUNTY Food insecure households often try to stretch their food budgets by purchasing cheap, energy-dense foods that are filling but typically have lower nutritional quality. This type of overconsumption of calories has been linked to obesity. (Basiotis & Lino, 2002; DiSantis et al., 2013; Drewnowski & Specter, 2004; Drewnowski, 2009)

IMPLICATIONS AND COST TO THE COUNTY Approximately 1 in 5 low-income preschool children and adults is obese— leading to an increase in Type II diabetes and many other adverse health consequences. ( Centers for Disease Control) In Maryland, an estimated $1.5 billion of adult medical expenditures were attributed to obesity in Calculations for per adult medical costs were $341 in 2008, $626 in 2013, and are projected to be in $1,642 in (“Future Costs of Obesity” report) Medical costs from obesity in Maryland

OUR 50-YEAR-OLD MODEL Approximately 50 autonomous non-profits in Montgomery County are tackling food insecurity.  50 overheads, 50 facilities, 50 boards of directors, 50 databases, 50 fundraising operations  Lack of:  Technology  Adequate storage and distribution facilities  Highly nutritious food  Staff  Limited hours of operation

OUR 50-YEAR-OLD MODEL An outdated approach based on purchasing food rather than recovering it. Families that are low- income often commute to facilities to receive food that is not the highest in nutrition, while unused fresh perishable food is going to waste.

ENCOURAGING PROGRESS IN 2013 The Montgomery County Food Recovery Working Group has been earmarked $200,000 by the County to fund the efforts of fighting food waste through coordination and increasing storage and transportation capacities. The Working Group has become a subgroup of the Montgomery County Food Council—contributing to the County’s commitment to a sustainable food system. Montgomery County Food Security Collaborative was established in 2013, with five food assistance non- profits, the Community Foundation for Montgomery County, and Burness Communications.

GOAL OF THE COLLABORATIVE To significantly reduce hunger in Montgomery County by 2020 by redistributing fresh, perishable food and increasing collaboration among businesses, non-profits, food providers, and families in need for this purpose.

A 21 ST CENTURY SOLUTION FOR THE COUNTY A strategy for the new Collaborative–creating a paradigm shift.  Shared Database: A network to link food providers to non-profits and those they serve in the County.  New Partnerships: Staff to identify and negotiate with restaurants, caterers, supermarkets, farmers, and other food providers.

A 21 ST CENTURY SOLUTION FOR THE COUNTY  Increased staff capacity to recover and distribute food.  Increased equipment to store and process recovered food.  A mobile, efficient, and coordinated transportation system.  Public education to promote healthy diets.

A 21 ST CENTURY SOLUTION FOR THE COUNTY Benefits Healthier and more productive workforce; recognition of social responsibility values; more prosperous marketplace. Benefits Access to healthy food; support for self-sufficiency; linkages to social service agencies. Benefits Reliable sources of healthy food; expanded capacity; community partnerships. Benefits Tax benefits; community partnerships.

OUR GOAL – HOW CAN YOU HELP?  Our goal is to raise $2 million over a three year period, and significantly reduce hunger by  To reach this goal, we are looking for donors to contribute a fixed amount for three consecutive years.  For example, if we get 20 donors to contribute $15,000 per year for three years, we’ll be well on our way.  We are confident that there is sufficient interest and dollars in the County to make this happen.

CURRENT COUNTY INITIATIVES Food Recovery Working Group Standards/protocols for food rescue and distribution Matchmaking with food providers and supplier food providers Montgomery County Food Security Collaborative Creating and encouraging synergy between supplier food-providers Promoting innovative anti-hunger services for county residents Provide resources to maintain programs that support self-sufficiency Further encourage food recovery Capacity Building and Sustainability Food Council Advocacy and education Collect innovative ideas Recommend potential projects Takoma Park Presbyterian Shared Use Community Commercial Kitchen and the Food Hub Incubator Movement to create community space where food can be processed and sold Hunger Relief Committee Seeks to reduce hunger by engaging various organizations in collaborative study, education, action and advocacy

SUPPORTERS OF THE COLLABORATIVE Rainbow Community Development Center