Join us for CAFB Conference 2015!

Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Abby J. Leibman has been President & CEO at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger since 2011. Prior to her current tenure, Ms. Leibman had a consulting practice to assist social justice organizations, businesses, and public institutions meet the challenges of growth and change, including leadership development, managing diversity, and implementing strategies to respond to discrimination. 

Read more about Abby and her keynote speech here >>

 

 

Workshops

Six tracks offer a variety of experiences for conference attendees. Choose one track to develop deeper skills and knowledge in a given area or mix and match according to your interests!

Policy / New Visions / Development & Communications / Health & Nutrition / Programs / Operations

 

Session One – Monday, May 4 2:15-3:30

Food Bank Nutrition Policies: Sparking Organizational Change
Health and Nutrition

Diet-related, chronic diseases are on the rise as well as the reliance on food assistance, with food banks playing a vital role in the health of the communities that they serve. Hear from the UC Atkins Center on Weight and Health as well as MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger about how food banks are now adopting nutritional policies to acquire and distribute healthier food.

Presenters:
Elizabeth Campbell, Research Specialist, Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley
Marla Feldman, Program Director, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Michelle Ross, Research Specialist, Center for Weight and Health, University of California, Berkeley

 

Digital Fundraising Trends & Insights   Repeating Workshop
Development

Come to discuss emerging digital trends and results from the last year, and what they are telling us about the next era of fundraising. Join your colleagues to debate key challenges facing our industry, and ask your own pressing questions about the digital opportunities – and threats – that now confront nonprofits. Themes will include: Biggest opportunities and biggest threats – 3 things you must know about the next era of digital fundraising, the rise of mobile engagement and the critical opportunity it creates for nonprofits, plus the anatomy of a digital donor – characteristics, behaviors, expectations and values.

Presenter:
Kim Taylor, Supervisor Digital Strategy, Russ Reid

 

Community Collaborations: Addressing the Causes and Consequences of Hunger
New Visions, Programs

How can food banks increase collaboration and breakdown silos to solve hunger? Find out what is happening at the local, state and national level as food banks partner with other organizations to address the causes and consequences of hunger.

Presenters:
Eileen Hyde, Director of Network Engagement, Collaborating for Clients, Feeding America
Erik Talkin, CEO Foodbank of Santa Barbara County
Bonnie Weigel, President and CEO, FOOD Share

 

Messaging for Success
Policy, Development

Over the past several years, both the Food Research Action Center and Feeding America have invested significantly in message testing, and the results are surprising!  What turns stakeholders on and what can trigger supporters to turn away? Come hear the latest on messaging in the world of hunger and learn how to reach your stakeholders most effectively.  This workshop pairs well with “How to Change the Conversation about Hunger & Food Security”.

Presenters:
David Lee, Executive Director, Feeding Wisconsin
Ellen Vollinger, Legal Director, Food Research and Action Center

 

Building Capacity for Advocacy 101
Policy

So you think you don’t have enough time, capacity or staffing for advocacy? Attend this workshop to hear from your peers about how other food banks overcome these challenges and build strong advocacy programs, all with very limited resources.

Presenters:
Lisa Houston, CEO and President, FIND Food Bank
Heidi McHugh, Community Education and Outreach Coordinator, Food for People, Inc. The Food Bank for Humboldt County
Brett Weisel, Director of Advocacy, Feeding America
Susan Acker, Communications Manager, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank

 

All About Produce: How to Increase Distribution and Manage Quality
Operations

Fresh produce is becoming a larger part of food bank and pantry distributions each year, but many are challenged to provide perishable products in a safe and efficient manner. This workshop will focus on safe handling and other practices essential to handling and distributing fresh produce. Farm to Family guidelines will also be discussed in this lively, interactive workshop.

Presenters:
Barbara Abbott, Director of Food Sourcing and Allocation, SF- Marin Food Ban
Gary Maxworthy, Food Resource Development, SF-Marin Food Bank
Steve Linkhart, Farm to Family Director, California Association of Food Banks
Diane Tye Zapata, Associate Director of Food Resources, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties

 

 

Session Two – Monday, May 4   3:45-5:00

Food Banks as Growers: A Viable Model?
New Visions, Programs, Health and Nutrition

Discover how food banks across the nation are trying to create more food by growing it themselves. This workshop shares research comparing current food growing programs and how they work to enhance food distribution. Ultimately, what is the impact on food security in the communities where food banks are growing food?

Presenter:
Sara Griffen, Executive Director, Imperial Valley Food Bank

 

Next Level in Food Safety: A First Look into the AIB International Audit Repeating Workshop
Operations

Food safety can and should be an integrated part of everything your food bank does. This workshop explains the new AIB International audit required for Feeding America members. Come hear how this audit can impact food banks as well as Partner Distribution Organizations, and hear from those who have undergone the audit.

Presenter:
Afua Darkwa, Food Safety Coordinator, Feeding America

 

Harnessing the Power of Your Food Bank to Get Out the Vote
Policy

Why should food banks and non-profits help people in their communities register to vote? And how do they go about it? Get the nuts and bolts of organizing voter registration and help turn the tide of low voter turnout in struggling communities.

Presenters:
Keisha Nzewi, Advocacy Manager, Alameda County Community Food Bank
Shanti Prasad, Community Mobilization Coordinator, Alameda County Community Food Bank

 

New to Food Banking?
Programs

Join this informal session with California Association of Food Bank staff to get information on California’s food bank network and how it works. Get answers to your questions about the different food programs available in California.

Presenters:
California Association of Food Bank staff

 

Alliance to Transform CalFresh: County Advocates Training 101
Policy

Be a part of the movement to raise CalFresh participation to 75% by 2016. This introductory workshop shows you how to use a data-driven approach to engage with your local county on CalFresh performance improvements.

Presenter:
Diana Jensen, Senior Policy and Advocacy Analyst, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
Sarah Palmer, Policy Associate, California Association of Food Banks

 

Executive Directors Roundtable
New Visions, Development

For CAFB Member Food Bank Executive Directors only. This is an open discussion forum with peers.

Moderators:
Suzan Bateson, Executive Director, Alameda County Community Food Bank
David Goodman, Executive Director, Redwood Empire Food Bank

 

 

Session Three – Tuesday, May 5 10:00 -11:15

Rethink Your Approach to Agency Relations
Programs

The new buzzword in agency relations is Agency Segmentation, which tiers agencies into different levels. Discover how food banks are using a metric-driven approach to re-structuring the way in which they partner with agencies to increase food distribution.

Presenters:
Alisha Keezer-Lewis, Partnerships Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Shirley Chang, Partnerships Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties

 

Organizing Your Warehouse: The 5S System Repeating Workshop
Operations

Learn from an expert in operations management about how to increase safety, reduce waste and optimize productivity in your operations. The 5S system is a proven method to improve your warehouse operations.

Presenter:
Manny Colmenares, Manager, Lean Training and Development, Roll Global

 

How to Change the Conversation about Hunger & Food Insecurity Repeating Workshop
Policy, New Visions, Development

Public perceptions about the who and why of hunger are roadblocks to meaningful conversations. This expert-led workshop will help you navigate stereotypes and garner more public support for solutions.

Presenter:
Elaine Mejia, Vice President, Public Works: the Center for the Public Sector

 

How to Engage Your Local Public Health Officer in Ending Hunger
New Visions, Health and Nutrition, Programs

Out of a simple question came a great idea – hear how the Orange County Public Health Officer and Orange County Food Bank joined forces to lead a public-private coalition to end hunger and reduce food waste.

Presenters:;
Dr. Eric G. Handler, Health Officer for the County of Orange
Mark Lowry, Director, Orange County Food Bank, Community Action Partnership of Orange County

 

Got Nutrition? How to Engage Pantries, Agencies and Consumers
Health & Nutrition, Programs

Don’t reinvent the nutrition wheel! This workshop will give you the latest information on how you can jumpstart your nutrition program with innovative ideas and online resources.

Presenters:;
Erin Franey, Program Coordinator, EatFresh.org, Leah’s Pantry
Amy Schaner, Program Manager, Redwood Empire Food Bank
Jessica Silldorff, Senior Program Coordinator, EatFresh.org, Leah’s Pantry
Cody Dunitz, Nutrition Education Coordinator, California Association of Food Banks

 

Making CalFresh Count for Seniors
Policy, Programs

Senior hunger is a growing and serious problem in California as more than half of our seniors have incomes 200% below the federal poverty level. This workshop will focus on strategies and tools to help find, get, and keep eligible seniors connected to CalFresh; as well as discussing solutions to California-specific issues such as immigrant eligibility and SSI cashout.

Presenters:
Lura Barber, Director, Hunger Initiatives, National Council on Aging
Andrea Bricker, Public Health Nutrition Consultant III, California Department on Aging
Ty Jones, Policy Analyst, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

 

 

Session Four – Tuesday,  May 5 11:30 -12:45

CalFresh Outreach and the Goldilocks Principle
Programs

The Goldilocks Principle describes a situation that is just right. In this workshop you’ll hear from your peers how CalFresh outreach can be done in a variety of ways to suit your food bank’s capacity, so you can find the “just right” situation.

Presenters:  
Jeannie Hayward, Director, Food Bank, The Resource Connection
Martha Montesinos, CalFresh Outreach Assistant Coordinator, FOOD Share
Liliana Sandoval, CalFresh Outreach Program Manager, SF-Marin Food Bank

 

Organizing Your Warehouse: The 5S System Repeating Workshop
Operations

Learn from an expert in operations management about how to increase safety, reduce waste and optimize productivity in your operations. The 5S system is a proven method to improve your warehouse operations.

Presenter:
Manny Colmenares, Manager, Lean Training and Development, Roll Global

 

Running a Dynamic Operation: Stay Open, Save Money and Increase Poundage
Operations

Learn how food banks can go to the next level in produce handling, and real time inventory management, to expand their warehouse operations and improve service.

Presenter:
Pat Ybarra, Director of Distribution and Logistics, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Steve Linkhart, Farm to Family Director, California Association of Food Banks

 

Addressing Student Hunger: The UC Global Food Initiative and CalFresh Advocates
New Visions, Policy, Programs

The University of California system and CalFresh advocates are taking a bold stance on student hunger issues. Learn how your food bank can get involved and pursue partnerships with institutions of higher learning in your community.

Presenters:
Jessica Bartholow, Legislative Advocate, Western Center on Law and Poverty
Willy Elliot-McCrea, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
Tim Galarneau, Food Systems Education & Research Specialist, University of California Santa Cruz
Dennis Stewart, SNAP Director, Western Regional, United State Department of Agriculture

 

Get Ready for Child Nutrition Reauthorization: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities to Feed Children and Youth When School is Out
Policy, Programs

Learn what’s at stake with the 2015 Child Nutrition Reauthorization law and how to best serve the nearly 2 million California kids at risk for hunger after the school day and during the summer.

Presenters:
Patrice Chamberlain, Director, California Summer Meal Coalition, a program of Institute for Local Government
Crystal FitzSimons, Director of School and Out-of-School Time Programs, Food Research and Action Center
Itzul Gutierrez, Program Manager, Redwood Empire Food Bank
Erin Hogeboom, Programs Manager, Feeding America San Diego

 

Insider’s Guide to Working with Foundations: Trends in Healthcare Philanthropy
Development

Diet and food access are now central to conversations about public health – and food banks are increasingly partnering with programs aimed at promoting positive health outcomes. Program Officers will address current trends in grantmaking that are relevant to food banks and answer your questions about how to cultivate successful relationships with funders, what makes for a winning proposal, and more.

Moderator:
Ellen La Pointe, Executive Director, Northern California Grantmakers
Christine Tien, Program Manager, The California Endowment
Kathryn Boyle, Community Benefit Programs, Northern California Region, Kaiser Permanente
Additional presenters to be announced

 

 

Session Five – Tuesday, May 5 2:15 -3:30

Faster Than Strawberries
Operations

Given limited resources and unpredictable supply and demand, how do you effectively manage the changes and improvements needed to support a substantial increase in produce distribution in your community? In this workshop you’ll learn how one food bank has organized its approach to support the distribution of over 30 million pounds of fresh produce. Participate in the discussion on those best practices that will help you organize your food bank operations and maximize your ability to handle produce.

Presenter :
Ralph A. Maltese, Vice President of Operations, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties

 

Introduction to Lean and the 8 Wastes Repeating Workshop
Operations

For warehouse operations to grow lean, the daily work must be accompanied by continuous improvement activities. We must be able to identify what can, or should be, improved while identifying wasteful elements in our daily work – it’s a necessary skill that can erode with routine. The “8 Wastes” will provide a well-rounded approach to enable your entire workforce to become an army for identifying and eliminating the wasteful aspects of their daily jobs.

Presenters:
Manny Colmenares, Manager, Lean Training and Development, Roll Global

 

How to Change the Conversation about Hunger & Food Insecurity Repeating Workshop
Policy, New Visions, Development

Public perceptions about the who and why of hunger are roadblocks to meaningful conversations. This expert-led workshop will help you navigate stereotypes and garner more public support for solutions.

Presenter:
Elaine Mejia, Vice President, Public Works: the Center for the Public Sector

 

Nutrition Roundtable
Health & Nutrition

An open discussion forum for those engaged in nutrition issues. Come to share your best practices and great ideas for increasing nutritional competence among our organizations and clients, while getting support from peers and discussing what’s on your mind in relation to your work.

Moderator:
Natalie Caples, Programs Supervisor, Community Food Bank, Fresno

 

Alliance to Transform CalFresh: County Advocates Training 102
Policy

Take your commitment to CalFresh to the next level.This peer-to-peer discussion will dig deeply into the opportunities and challenges facing advocates working to improve every county’s CalFresh performance.

Presenters:
Kim McCoy Wade, Consultant, Alliance to Transform CalFresh
Alexis Fernandez, Director of Legislation, California Food Policy Advocates
Amanda Schultz, CalFresh Outreach Director, San Diego Hunger Coalition
Joël McClurg, CalFresh Outreach Manager, Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano

 

Development Roundtable
Development

This roundtable is an open discussion forum for peer learning and mutual support for development professionals, and anyone else who is involved in raising food and funds. Bring your questions, joys and frustrations, as well as your new ideas to share.

Moderator:
Nicole Suydam, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

 

 

Session Six – Tuesday, May 5 3:45 – 5:00

Digital Fundraising Trends & Insights Repeating Workshop
Development;

Come to discuss emerging digital trends and results from the last year, and what they are telling us about the next era of fundraising. Join your colleagues to debate key challenges facing our industry, and ask your own pressing questions about the digital opportunities – and threats – that now confront nonprofits. Themes will include: Biggest opportunities, biggest threats – 3 things you must know about the next era of digital fundraising, the rise of mobile engagement and the critical opportunity it creates for nonprofits, plus the anatomy of a digital donor – characteristics, behaviors, expectations and values.

Presenter:
Kim Taylor, Supervisor Digital Strategy, Russ Reid
 

Next Level in Food Safety: A First Look into the AIB International Audit Repeating Workshop
Operations

Food safety can and should be an integrated part of everything your food bank does. This workshop explains the new AIB International audit required for Feeding America members.  Come hear how this audit can impact food banks and Partner Distribution Organizations, and hear from those who have undergone the audit.

Presenter:
Afua Darkwa, Food Safety Coordinator, Feeding America

 

How to Change the Conversation about Hunger & Food Insecurity Repeating Workshop
Policy, New Visions, Development

Public perceptions about the who and why of hunger are roadblocks to meaningful conversations. This expert-led workshop will help you navigate stereotypes and garner more public support for solutions.

Presenter:
Elaine Mejia, Vice President, Public Works: the Center for the Public Sector

 

Moving Up the Ladder: Advocacy 201
Policy

This in-depth workshop will allow participants to share best practices and “crowdsource” common advocacy challenges in a peer-to-peer format. Facilitated discussions will cover topics such as maximizing limited resources, managing difficult political environments, mobilizing agencies, developing legislative champions, and more!

Presenters :
Chris Carter, Vice President Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs, Jacob and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Cindy McCown, Vice President of Programs and Services, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties
Teri Olle, Director of Policy and  Services, SF -Marin Food Bank
Allison Pratt, Director of Policy and Services, Alameda County Community Food Bank

 

Rural and Remote Roundtable
New Visions, Programs, Development

Rural and remote communities have unique challenges and opportunities. Come to share ideas and concerns, and hear from peers with creative ideas and innovative programs.

Moderators:
Anne Holcomb, Executive Director of Food for People, The Food Bank for Humboldt County
Lee Kimball, Director, Food Bank, Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency

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