[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
Hello and welcome to Just a Bite. I'm Sarah Coons, External Affairs Manager with the Ohio association of Food Banks, and I'll be your host Today.
Many nonprofit organizations rely significantly on volunteers.
However, this makes it difficult to expand their reach and their capacity.
National service, or what we call AmeriCorps, makes this easier for organizations while also providing valuable service experience for the AmeriCorps volunteers in Ohio. The Ohio association of Food Banks supports the Hunger Relief Network through the recruitment and management of AmeriCorps volunteers, as well as providing support and professional development during their service term.
These AmeriCorps volunteers are the next generation of nonprofit leaders, bringing in fresh ideas and new perspectives.
In today's episode, we're taking a closer look at Healthy Harvest Corps, a new AmeriCorps program that the Ohio association of Food Banks is operating.
Together, we take a deep dive into the incredible work that is happening across Ohio's food banks and pantry partners to build up their long term capacity with a focus on Food is Medicine initiatives.
As always, you can check out our show notes for this episode and all
[email protected] JustABite Again, this is your host Sarah Kunz with Just a Bite, hosted by the Ohio association of Food Banks.
Thanks for joining us and let's get started.
Before we talk to our guests, I wanted to meet with Maureen Allen, the Association's Director of Community Services, to ask her more about the Healthy Harvest Corps program. Maureen, thanks for chatting with me today.
[00:02:23] Speaker B: Thanks for having me, Sarah.
[00:02:24] Speaker A: Of course, Healthy Harvest Corps is technically a new program for the association focused on expanding the Food is Medicine initiatives across the network. I wanted to know how many volunteers are serving their communities in this way and what types of projects are they really working on and how is it different from our other AmeriCorps programs?
[00:02:47] Speaker B: Yeah, so our current program year is wrapping up in August. We had 28 members serving throughout Ohio. We're currently recruiting for our next cohort to start in September. So any listeners out there, if this interests you, we'll talk more about how you can get involved.
But we designed the program to help advance the network's expansion of the Food is Medicine initiatives.
We created essentially four buckets of work, so all 28 members are working in one of four projects.
The first project, which kind of feeds into the other ones, is the implementation of Healthy Eating Research Guidelines.
The Healthy Eating and Research Guidelines is a stoplight system that allows neighbors to easily identify products in the pantry and the emergency food networks that they're attending so they can have More informed choices. So items are labeled green, yellow or red. Green being choose often, yellow bean chews sometimes and red rarely.
So this is not a push to judge people for their choices or say you can only have a certain amount of red items that you choose. This is designed to help neighbors make more informed choices about their dietary needs. We see a lot of folks in our network that suffer from diet related diseases that could be better managed with different choices that are available to them.
So this creates a big challenge for our network because product is always changing. You get different brands of product that come in. So you could have one brand of canned carrots that is yellow and the next brand has higher sodium content so it is labeled red.
So we have a lot of folks in our network that they'll have family members come over and check that the items that they have are safe for them to eat, you know, if they suffer from diabetes or have, you know, high blood pressure and they need heart healthy choices. And so a lot of the times they, you know, can't consume the things that were given to them at their emergency food provider. So this way, you know, the neighbors don't have to dig through all the labels and know, you know, what is a better choice for them. So the members are working on not only educating the volunteers and the staff on these guidelines, but also helping with swapping out signage and ranking the food items, which is a very big lift for the food banks to do with product turnover. You know, you don't want to turn down donations.
So just making sure that everything is labeled efficiently and accurately so that neighbors can, you know, have those choices for themselves.
And it's also really helpful for the food sourcing teams at the food banks to kind of look at their procurement practices and, you know, see like a breakdown of we have this many green items. We would like to increase that percentage, you know, and go to donors and say, you know, can we get some, you know, more fresh produce or this brand of canned vegetables and things like that. So members are working on implementing those at both the food bank level and then slowly, you know, working our way out to the pantry level, which is, you know, hundreds and hundreds of pantries in the network. So it's a really big lift and our members are doing a great job with starting to roll this out. The second bucket of work is managed care referral partnerships. And so those members are working on establishing or maintaining current partnerships with hospital systems, doctor's offices, managed care providers who are referring patients that they identify as food insecure, perhaps with a diet related disease to the food bank.
And so they can get either a specialized food box if the food bank has that program, or get connected with other needs that they have through like social determinant of health screenings that the members conduct. And so they help close those feedback loops and follow up with the neighbors and make sure that everything that they were referred to that they received and are getting those services efficiently and effectively.
Our third bucket is our emergency healthy food box program. So we have members that, and it kind of ties into the referral position where if members are referred to a specific dietary healthy food box program, like a diabetes friendly box or a heart healthy box, we have a food bank that has a specific maternal care box. Those members work on like actually packaging that box, managing the inventory to make sure we have appropriate inventory to meet those box standards, recruiting and managing volunteers that help pack those boxes, distributing the boxes to the neighbors, and then also doing follow up with the neighbors about the box content, like what did you enjoy, what didn't you use? And kind of pivoting on what you know, based on member feedback, what is useful in those boxes and what is not.
And then our fourth project is our summer initiative.
So we have members that are serving just for a short period of time in the summer, either at a community garden or a summer food service program site, working with kids on doing healthy snack demonstrations for underserved youth.
So they're taking either produce from the garden that they're working at or produce that they get from their local food bank and then incorporating that into a healthy snack demo to expose kids to more produce options and maybe things they hadn't tried before.
[00:08:17] Speaker A: That's really cool. What a cool like scope and a bunch of different things that members or volunteers are doing.
But I would love to ask you, why was this kind of the right time for the food bank network to prioritize the service experience?
And how does this fit in with and support our other priorities as an association?
[00:08:43] Speaker B: Yeah, so we have been longtime AmeriCorps partners, but with the VISTA program, which is the indirect service branch of AmeriCorps, members work more behind the scenes doing kind of capacity building work.
But our network, you know, would love to have some direct service members, which is where this program comes in, because these members specifically are supposed to be working on direct service activities, working more hands on with neighbors.
So we really thought like what would be a really good fit for the direct service piece of service of national service in the network and the network as a whole with Feeding America was moving towards this food is Medicine Initiatives kind of got sidelined by the pandemic, and some folks had started it. But now that, you know, the air has cleared there and we're moving back into regularly scheduled activities, we thought that this would be a really good fit for helping advance that work because so many of our networks would love to implement the HDR guidelines, would love to do this type of work work, but don't have the capacity, the human capital that really is necessary to be able to implement these successfully. So we thought that this would be a really great fit to help advance that work. And I think it's really cool that it's kind of like a menu option of a program where food banks can opt in. Like, we would like to focus on her this year. We would like to start this box program. They don't have to do all, you know, three or four. They don't have to, you know, they don't all have to intertwine. It's kind of like, what do you want to focus on this year and how can we help advance that work with AmeriCorps member service? So I think it was a really great fit for both the AmeriCorps project and for the network at the time. And we've had the majority of our food banks opt in to participate in the program. So I think that's really telling that the network is ready to move into this work and excited to have, you know, that we're able to supply them with this resource and not only give the members a great experience and learning opportunity, but, you know, helping the food banks have the necessary, dedicated, you know, person that can have the time to do this type of work.
[00:10:52] Speaker A: I love that. Yeah, it's. I totally agree with you about the menu of options. And maybe this year they want to focus on one thing, but maybe next year they want to focus on something different or they now that they had the volunteer, they were able to set systems in place and want to move on to the next thing. So that's really amazing.
But I wanted to ask you a little bit about the professional development opportunities and networking opportunities you all provide, not only for this program, but more broadly for AmeriCorps volunteers.
I think that's a really cool part of the program and where some of our value kind of comes in. And so I would love to give you the chance to talk a little bit more about that.
[00:11:46] Speaker B: Yeah, it's definitely a program designed to help advance somebody's professional career.
I myself did AmeriCorps VISTA right after college.
Wasn't sure you Know what I wanted to do with my life. And this really offered you the opportunity to have the time.
One of our members said that careers take time to build. AmeriCorps offers you that time, which I thought was a really appropriate slogan for the program, frankly. And so we have so many food bank staff and, and staff here at the association that are former AmeriCorps alumni. So it is really a pathway to employment and that is a virtue that both AmeriCorps supports and lives by as well as we practice both at the Ohio association of Food Banks and our network partners. Everybody really values the AmeriCorps member service and the opportunity that it brings to like help foster the future leaders of nonprofit work.
So throughout the service term we get members together to do professional development trainings. We do virtual trainings with this particular program because they're all focused on one of four projects. We do like cohort style meetings where like all the her members get together and trade ideas since they're all at food banks and they all are doing similar work but you know, at different levels, like sizes of food banks, different types of counties. It's, you know, it's all very different per food bank.
But it really is a great style of cohort sharing of ideas where we say like, I'm, you know, really struggling with implementing this scanning on our electronic ordering system. How did you guys do that? And you know, folks can, can trade ideas in all of the different projects. So I think that we've got a really great group this year that really utilize that pipeline of each other and being able to reach out and troubleshoot and share successes and challenges. And we have two members that are re enrolling for a second year. So I think it was, you know, successful.
[00:13:55] Speaker A: That's huge. That's awesome.
I'm sure after hearing all that, some people are going to be interested in learning more about how to apply.
I would love if you could share a little bit more about how people can get involved with AmeriCorps.
[00:14:12] Speaker B: Yeah. So you can search any national service positions that are currently open if you go to myamericorps.gov our particular program is recruiting right now as I mentioned, and you can see our specific project opportunity listings on our
[email protected] if you go to the national service recruitment page.
But there are so many avenues to national service. So if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, but you would like to, you know, be involved with AmeriCorps in general, I highly encourage everyone to check out the myamericorps.gov website and search for the available opportunities because there's a lot of really cool projects out there.
[00:14:51] Speaker A: And I think it's important to note that you can be any age at any stage of your career or life.
[00:14:58] Speaker B: Yeah, I think it's definitely like a transitional program. Like we see, you know, a lot of folks fresh out of college looking to get that professional development experience. But we also see people that are on the cusp of like being retired but not quite ready to retire or want to change careers. So it's definitely like a transitional program, in my opinion, where you just kind of like take a year to transition to the next phase of your life.
[00:15:22] Speaker A: Definitely. Well, thank you so much, Maureen, for sharing more about this exciting new initiative for the network. I'm really looking forward to talking more with our Healthy Harvest Corps volunteers and learning more about their service. So thank you so much.
[00:15:38] Speaker B: Thank you, Sarah.
[00:15:49] Speaker A: Today I am joined by Tinu Deboiku, Healthy Harvest Corps Volunteer at the Food Bank, Inc. In Dayton, Ohio. Tinu, thank you so much for being here today.
[00:16:03] Speaker C: Thanks for having me. Appreciate you having me on.
[00:16:06] Speaker A: Of course.
I would love if you could start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself, your role and the work of the Food Bank, Inc. In Dayton.
How long is your service term and when did you start?
[00:16:23] Speaker C: Sure. My name is TINU and I am a professionally trained engineer. I went to Wright State University to get my master's in material science and engineering and that's what brought me to the Dayton, Ohio area.
I was born and raised in Cincinnati.
I'm an engineer kind of turned farmer.
I own my own business called Glorify Dirt llc, which is a soil health outreach and education business.
And so I'm really involved in climate smart agriculture.
[00:17:00] Speaker A: And that's awesome.
It is so great to learn a little bit more about your service experience you are having at the Food Bank. I would love to hear more about your project during your service.
What does your typical day to day look like in this role and how do you think this project fits in to the mission of the Food Bank, Inc.
All right.
[00:17:28] Speaker C: So my service started in June and goes to August 22nd.
Three out of the four days we're working in the Food bank garden which has 40 raised beds. And we grow all kinds of stuff, watermelon, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, all kinds of stuff.
And we also work in a hydroponic greenhouse.
So that's we harvest lettuce from the greenhouse probably about twice, two to three times a week. And I, I really Enjoy.
I really enjoy learning how to do other things in the greenhouse, like checking the nutrients and things like that.
That's been, that's been really interesting.
And then the other, the one day out of the week where we go out into the community and we teach kids about whole healthy foods.
We've had to come up with some kind of presentations about, about the food bank and then also about healthy eating and you know, the five food groups and things like that to get these kids to be more familiarized with, with eating healthy, whole foods. I think it's been pretty interesting. I like to interact with the kids. But I think the thing that's been the most interesting, especially with this whole concept of, you know, spreading the information about healthy eating and things like that, is just been able to see directly with the kids what kind of foods do they eat already and what have they never been exposed to. And so a lot of times we'll start our demo with your name and your favorite healthy snack.
And sometimes kids will say watermelon or strawberries and then other times it devolves into takis and chips.
So it's been interesting to just see firsthand what the kids are eating and how they react to the foods that we provide to them.
[00:19:42] Speaker A: Yeah, that's awesome. And I'm sure a lot of it is like kind of seeing some of this work through a kid's eyes, but I'm sure it's a fun experience.
You had mentioned that you have this really strong background in engineering and research and data analysis as well as climate smart agriculture. It seems like this position is just a really great fit for you.
I would love if you could tell me how you found out about this AmeriCorps position and why you pursued this opportunity. I'm always really interested about how people kind of get to where they are and so I would love to, to hear more about that.
[00:20:26] Speaker C: So actually I got into this because I was just looking for a position that was over the summer and to fit with my schedule for my business. I needed something to fill in the gap and I found this position on LinkedIn and through also my farming community had let me know that this was, this position was opening up and I had come out to the food bank to see the composting operation and the garden, I think earlier this year.
And I was just really interested in working there with the plants and, and just being outside and working, working the land. That's been, that's been my main gig for the last three years.
Two, three years.
So I really just needed a A stopgap job for a while, but this has turned out to be a very fulfilling position for me.
Learning how to.
Learning how to do new things. And like, I've never harvested produce from a. From a greenhouse before. I thought that was really cool.
And then also just seeing how much effort we're putting into the. To the produce, and then seeing it's. It's come. Seeing it come to its full potential, and then also seeing it go out to our neighbors, like, we'll. We'll harvest hundreds of pounds of. Of lettuce in a day, and by the end of the week, it's been out to our neighbors in free food boxes.
So it's. It's just really awesome to.
To be a part of those hands that feed the people.
[00:22:26] Speaker A: No, I. I love that.
And that leads so nicely into the next question I have for you. I know that. And part of the reason why I do the work that I do.
Working in nonprofits is a real calling for a lot of people, and serving through AmeriCorps even more so.
You are committing to, at most a year of service at a time, but for you, it's the summer.
And although work has been done to make it more financially feasible for folks to serve their community in this way, the pay can be really difficult for people to commit to and plan for.
On the other hand, you get really great training, make connections to local nonprofits, and build your resume, setting yourself up for future opportunities.
AmeriCorps volunteers are also some of the most passionate people I've ever gotten the chance to speak to during my time at the association.
And all of them care so deeply about the mission of the nonprofits that they work at.
Why did you decide to serve? I know that you touched. Touched on that a little bit, but I would love to hear if you have anything else to. To add to that.
[00:23:53] Speaker C: Watching the kids, you know, just. Just seeing the kids and their reaction, having the food bank out to see them. Sometimes we get the same kids, sometimes you get different kids. But they're always excited to see us. And there was one girl who drew a picture for us and that said, I love the food bank and big block letters, and it had a bouquet on it, and it had the five healthy food groups on it. And I just really. It just touched me because it meant that they're paying attention to what we're sharing with them. Like I said, I had not intentionally gone out of my way to give service. You know, it opened my eyes to the service that's needed to occur in our community.
I know that it's there. I know about food deserts. I know about the fact that whole healthy foods are not typically the first choice on people's plates. To be at the front line of combating that issue has been really uplifting for me.
[00:25:07] Speaker A: I really loved how you put that and I appreciate you sharing that. I would love to know, and you've touched on this a little bit throughout the whole thing. But I'm curious to know, what have you enjoyed the most about your service so far and maybe what is a new skill that you have learned over the summer during this?
[00:25:32] Speaker C: I would have to say that a new skill that I learned is I'm a master at trellising and trimming tomatoes now.
[00:25:41] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:25:42] Speaker C: I have spent hours and hours out there trellising and trimming tomatoes and to the point that, you know, there was one day that I was just working at it so hard that I worked through lunch and I was just, just really, just really into it. And Clara, my boss, came out and was like, these tomatoes have never looked better.
I also really enjoyed we learn about Lean Six Sigma practices, which is just improvement practices. And it really shows that they're committed to improving their processes and it shows that they're committed to helping people have professional development, you know, definitely.
[00:26:34] Speaker A: I love to hear that you are getting some value out of that as well.
Well, thank you so much again. It has been so great to hear more about your service experience, Tino. I really appreciate it.
[00:26:48] Speaker C: Thanks for having me.
[00:26:58] Speaker A: It has been so great to learn more about the Healthy Harvest Corps program and the incredible impact our AmeriCorps volunteers have. I want to thank Tinu for his time and service to the listeners. Thank you for listening to Just a Bite. For resources mentioned in today's episode, please visit ohiofoodbanks.org justabite and check the show notes for additional information.
If you have enjoyed today's conversation, please subscribe to the podcast, share this show with your network and join us next time for another discussion on issues impacting food and nutrition, nutrition security in Ohio.
Until next time, take care.
