The recipient entity's physical address:
           7916 Wrenwood Blvd., Suite F, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           7916 Wrenwood Blvd., Suite F, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          Michael G. Manning

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  7900

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $8,000,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Jayne Wright-Velez, Board President
Executive Director
Food Bank of Central Louisiana
318.445.2773
jwrightvelez@fbcenla.org

Ginger Gustavson, VP & Treasurer
Executive Director
Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana
318.675.2400
ggustavson@foodbanknla.org

Jon J. Toups, Secretary
President & CEO
Second Harvest New Orleans & Acadiana
504.487.7495
jtoups@no-hunger.org

Jean Toth, Board Member
Executive Director
Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
318.322.3567
jtoth@fbnela.org

Liz Pfifer, Board Member
President & CEO
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
225.975.9306
epfifer@brfoodbank.org



Pat R. Van Burkleo
Executive Director
Feeding Louisiana
7916 Wrenwood Blvd., Suite F
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Feeding Louisiana, representing the state’s five food banks and their network of more than 900 community- and faith-based organizations, requests $8 million of State General Funds to purchase nutritious, local foods to be distributed in communities of need across the state. In Louisiana, nearly 890,000 residents are considered food insecure and struggle to put food on the table at some point during the year. Included in this number are more than 272,000 Louisiana children.

Feeding Louisiana is comprised of the five regional Feeding America Food banks serving all 64 parishes in Louisiana. Louisiana food banks distribute more than 63 million pounds of food annually to Louisianans.

Food purchased through this program will be distributed based on need throughout all 64 parishes in Louisiana, ensuring that state funds are used in an equitable manner to serve the needs of Louisiana citizens. In addition, the use of these funds to purchase food products originating in Louisiana benefits the Louisiana economy and ensures that these dollars remain in the state.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          Professional Services. . . $0
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $8,000,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $0
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $0
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $0

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          Not Applicable

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          Feeding Louisiana is the association of the state’s five regional food banks, working together to fight hunger, advocate, leverage resources, and seek partnerships to ensure long-term access to nutritious food for all.

Hunger is a critical issue in Louisiana, impacting individuals and families in every corner of the state. Nearly 890,000 Louisianans face the daily threat of food insecurity. That means 1 in 5 residents are uncertain from where or when their next meal might come. This includes the most vulnerable: children and seniors.

Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Food insecurity is often linked to one or multiple factors, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. These factors include limited income or income instability as well as high cost of food and other essentials like housing, health care, utilities and child and dependent care.

Over 270,000 of Louisiana’s children, almost 1-in-4, are food insecure. Research details the important links between childhood access to nutritious food and outcomes, including educational achievement, mental and physical development, and overall health and well-being.

Research has also shown the serious consequences of hunger among our aging population. Seniors who are food insecure are more likely to be in poor health and have higher healthcare costs, with increased risk for depression and chronic disease such as diabetes. Over 200,000 older adults and seniors are food insecure in Louisiana. That is nearly a quarter of the population in that age group.

Louisiana food banks are a vital partner in the fight against hunger. They deliver and administer programming that provides essential nutrition to low-income families across the state and supports Louisiana farmers producing locally grown produce and protein.
Hunger is a persistent issue. Fundamentally, these funds would assist food banks in purchasing food resources needed for Louisiana citizens facing food insecurity.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Increase the quality, quantity, variety and nutritional value of food available to meet the needs of the food insecure people in Louisiana.

Distribute food purchased through state funding in accordance to need in all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           One (1) year

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                 N/A
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                 N/A

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                 N/A

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                  N/A

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               N/A

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
               N/A

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
                N/A

          What is the nature of the relationship?  N/A

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                 Department of Health, 628 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Department of Treasury, State Capitol Building, 900 North Third Street, 3rd Floor, Baton Rouge, 70802

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               1) Louisiana Department of Health
Feeding Louisiana contracts with the Department of Health to deliver SNAP Outreach services through its five member food banks and the Feeding Louisiana Nourishline. Trained outreach workers at each food bank and Feeding Louisiana engage with potentially eligible individuals to share information on program eligibility, benefits, and requirements, and to assist those who need help completing and submitting applications.

Additionally, Feeding Louisiana contracts to manage the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as Senior Boxes. This food is distributed across the state through the five member food banks to low-income adults aged 60 and older.

2)Feeding Louisiana also administers a contract with the Department of Treasury to implement a $3.6 million budget allocation that supports local farmers and strengthens food access. Through this initiative, food banks purchase Louisiana-grown produce, protein, and other foods directly from local farmers for distribution to neighbors in need.


Contact Information
name:  Pat R. Van Burkleo 
                                       address:  7916 Wrenwood Blvd Ste F, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
                                       phone:  225-310-0092
                                       fax: 
                                       e-mail:  pat@feedinglouisiana.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director