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Overview of CFC network and funding allocation process
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This chapter covers the basic structure and operations of the Community Food Connection (CFC) network. First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry provides information on the number of providers, funding allocation process, and criteria for determining allocations.
- Over 700 food pantries and community kitchens are part of the CFC program across NYC's five boroughs
- Funding allocations are made twice a year, with providers having flexibility in spending
- Allocation criteria include supply gap analysis, unemployment rates, presence of vulnerable populations, and recent changes in SNAP benefits
Diana Ayala
0:22:18
Can you tell us how many providers are currently in the CFC network?
0:22:24
We
Jill Berry
0:22:25
currently have over 700 food pantries and community kitchens in the CFC program across the five boroughs.
Diana Ayala
0:22:32
Are those providers given a
Jill Berry
0:22:33
set of food grant allowances per month or per year?
0:22:37
They we do two allocations, for six months each and providers have the flexibility to spend the allocation during that six month period as they as works for their program.
Diana Ayala
0:22:49
How do you determine how frequently the grant is provided?
Jill Berry
0:22:55
I'm sorry.
Diana Ayala
0:22:57
So the you're saying that you give the allowance is granted two per every six months?
Jill Berry
0:23:03
One allowance per provider every six months, so two per fiscal year.
0:23:08
Okay.
0:23:09
So how do you determine that?
0:23:11
So the we primarily rely on the food, the supply gap analysis that we run that looks at what is the supply of food in the neighborhood and what is the relative need of food in the neighborhood.
0:23:28
We have also taken into consideration unemployment rates, the presence of vulnerable populations in particular neighborhoods such as recipients of SNAP, recipients of cash.
0:23:42
For example, we take into consideration the the the task force on racial inclusion and equity neighborhoods that have been targeted for needs needing additional services.
0:23:57
We took into consideration in the last round of allocations the reduction in SNAP benefits.
0:24:03
So during COVID, SNAP benefits were set at an elevated level and then they they came down at the end of COVID.
0:24:10
So we looked at those neighborhoods where populations had a larger loss of SNAP benefits during that time.
0:24:17
And the the lastly, we took into consideration neighborhoods that had large numbers of new emergency shelters that were sited in the neighborhoods and we gave an extra allocation to those.
Diana Ayala
0:24:29
For those communities that don't benefit from brick and mortar locations, do the few organizations that are, you know, in the program, do they receive more funding?
Jill Berry
0:24:44
All the the providers that are in neighborhoods that that have these criteria get slightly more funding than that they're it's weighted a little bit higher to give them more funding when they meet these conditions.
Diana Ayala
0:24:54
Okay.
0:24:55
And if the CFC providers need more food than they have been allocated, what is the process and the time frame for them to get an approval to order more food?
Jill Berry
0:25:04
So any community food provider that needs an additional allocation should reach out to the CFC program to to let us know that that an additional allocation is needed.
0:25:15
We recently have we had an additional $2,900,000 that was allocated through OMB to the food program.
0:25:24
Last month we distributed 2,500,000.0 of that funding specifically to pantries that were in a still had a high supply gap and had spent all or most of their allocation so far.
0:25:38
So that was a I think it was about a third of the of the food providers got an extra allocation last month.
0:25:44
We still have another 400,000 plus any other additional unallocated funds that we will reallocate to pantries in need next month.
0:25:53
One of the criteria we're looking at is any food pantries that lost federal funding due to federal cuts so far.
0:26:02
That has not affected the CFC program yet, but we know it has affected some pantries.
0:26:07
And we're gonna look to see what we can do to assist those pantries in particular when we do reallocation next month.
Diana Ayala
0:26:15
So just to get clarity, and thank you for that, what is the timeframe from the moment that the request is made to the time that it is approved?
Jill Berry
0:26:26
But Yeah, honestly that's not it doesn't typically work that way.
0:26:31
We don't typically get a lot of requests from food pantries for additional allocations.
0:26:36
They are familiar with our cycle and reallocation process.
0:26:40
Process.
0:26:41
They know that at the end of an allocation cycle is typically when we do reallocations.
0:26:46
And so we may hear from a few pantries that reach out to us at that time and say, hey we know it's getting close to the time you do reallocations.
0:26:54
Please keep us in mind as you do that.
0:26:58
It's it's not the I I understand what you're asking but it has not traditionally followed that formal process.