Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: Agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing a waiver of the Request for Proposals process and approving execution of an agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley for food assistance program services for the term of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, for a total obligation amount not to exceed $222,033.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County residents face some of the highest housing and cost of living expenses in the country. Families must provide for everyday expenses such as apparel, transportation, childcare, and medical costs which consume a large portion of their income. Many low- and moderate-income households struggle to afford their basic needs, which can force households to make decisions regarding their food choices that directly threaten their health. Though there are food assistance programs funded federally to address food insecurity needs nationwide, these benefits fall short in terms of providing access to what is needed daily.
Community-based food assistance programs are a critical part of San Mateo County’s safety net system and are aimed at combatting food insecurity and ensuring that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one immediately. Under these programs, residents have access to adequate, nutritionally appropriate food; without it, residents would be left in a position susceptible to various economic and social barriers that would directly harm their ability to live a stable life.
Second Harvest is the single largest non-governmental source of food for low-income residents of San Mateo County. They partner with San Mateo’s local community-based organizations to distribute food, connect people with food resources in their neighborhood, and strengthen programs and policies that help build a hunger-free community.
DISCUSSION:
The Human Services Agency (HSA) is requesting that the County execute an agreement with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley (Second Harvest) for the term of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025 for a total obligation amount not to exceed $222,033 to provide emergency food assistance services to low-income residents in San Mateo County. Second Harvest will, in partnership with local community-based organizations such as the County’s Core Service Agencies, to distribute healthy groceries and meals through their pantry and grocery programs. Services will be provided to residents who have incomes below 275% of the Federal Poverty Level. Additionally, Second Harvest will, on an ongoing basis, conduct outreach to inform the public of the resources available to address food insecurity and to recruit and train volunteers to help distribute food.
Pursuant to Section 2.83.070(b) of the County Ordinance Code, the Board of Supervisors may waive the requirement of a request for proposals in any situation where the Board of Supervisors determines that the best interest of the County could be served without the necessity of requests for proposals. While smaller food pantries offer services to their local communities, Second Harvest is the only Feeding America Food Bank for San Mateo County that provides food to many of the smaller local pantries, including the Core Service Agencies, and no partner or client is ever charged for food. For these reasons, HSA is recommending the Board waive the request for proposals process.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in the aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that for the term of this agreement, Second Harvest will distribute 20 million pounds of food annually, which equates to 16.6 million meals each year. It is also anticipated that for FY 2022-23, Second Harvest will operate 90 food distribution sites in San Mateo County. This target is expected to increase to 95 and 100 for FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25, respectively.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2022-23 Anticipated |
FY 2023-24 Target |
FY 2024-25 Target |
|
Pounds of food distributed in San Mateo County annually |
20 Million |
20 Million |
20 Million |
|
Number of food distribution sites operated in San Mateo County |
90 |
95 |
100 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, for a total obligation amount of $222,033 and is funded 100% with Net County Cost. Budgetary appropriation for this agreement is included in the FY 2022-23 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budgets.