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Mississippi ranks #1 in prevalence of food insecurity at 18.1% compared to 11.3% in the United States. 21.1% of our population lives below the poverty level compared to 13.3% in the United States. 29.5% of our children live below the poverty level compared to 18.3%. 15.7% of our senior citizens over 65 live below the poverty level compared to 9.8%. 77.19% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch program. 89.58% of students qualify for free/reduced breakfast program. 

Where does the food come from – Sources of Food

USDA foods through MS Dept. of Human Services and the MS Dept. of Health TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) CSFP America’s Second Harvest affiliation New grocery products from manufacturers throughout the United States Conagra, General Mills, Coke, Pepsi, Tyson, Sanderson Farms, Proctor & Gamble Donations from wholesale food distributors Food drives by local groups – help stock self serve pantry area WAPT-TV Food For Families Football Challenge 2008 will be the 16th year National Association of Letter Carriers – Saturday before Mother’s Day Nucor Steel, Curves, Eaton Aerospace, Regions Bank, Nissan, Gilbert’s Home Health, CarMax, Special promotions – Kroger, Brookshire’s Purchase of needed but seldom donated food and household items – salt, sugar, flour, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter – staple items ---------

Send out weekly order guide of food have in warehouse or agencies call in orders Pick up from warehouse in Jackson or use Delivery service – small delivery fee charged 18 wheeler with 16 drop off points across state – agencies meet him Natchez, Starkville, Grenada, Hattiesburg

Funding

Gifts and grants from individuals, area churches, businesses and foundations. USDA through the Mississippi Department of Human Services for warehousing and distributing USDA products. TEFAP and CSFP programs Shared Maintenance - a small handling charge paid by the member agencies based on the pounds of products received. There is no charge to any agency for USDA foods. Averages to be about 16¢ per pound.

Volunteers & Programs

Kids Cafe – In September 2007, we opened our First Kids Cafe® at the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County in Greenville, MS. This was done through a grant made possible by Uncle Ben’s Rice, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. Uncle Ben’s in Greenville has adopted this Club and as a result opened the very first Kids Cafe® sponsored by Mars, Inc. During the school year 50 children who attend the Boys & Girls Club eat a nutritious meal before they go home. During the summer approximately 75 children ate breakfast and lunch. --------

Second Kids Cafe this summer fed 100 children at the Central Mississippi Prevention Services in Vicksburg. We hope to continue with this site during the school year where the children will get a nutritious snack each day after school. -------

Currently working on opening our third site at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mississippi Delta. Nine sites across the Delta and we will be providing a nutritious snack each afternoon for these children. Nutritious snacks - Milk and graham crackers – juice – fresh fruit - rather than chips and soda.

BackPack Program – In June 2008 we started our first BackPack Program in partnership with the summer program at Stewpot Community Services. At the end of each week, the children attending the program took home a backpack filled with food for the weekend. The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations.

CLUB (Children Learning and Understanding Better) Nutrition – In 2007 we also started a program for our member agencies teaching children how to make better choices about the food they eat. CLUB Nutrition uses the Organ Wise Guys curriculum in teaching the children about their bodies and the importance of eating low fat, high fiber, lots of water and exercise.

Produce Initiative Distributes fresh fruits and vegetables to our member agencies for their clients who do not always have access to fresh fruit and vegetables because of the cost and availability. Mobile Pantry that distributes fresh produce during regular distribution days at member pantries. In 2006 we distributed almost one million pounds of produce.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Government program for senior citizens over 60 years of age and 5 year old children Pack 7,000 (6,996) boxes each month 6,616 adults 380 children Supplemental food to help get through the month – about 40 pounds Juice Canned Meat Cereal Evaporated milk Canned fruit Dried rice, beans, or pasta Canned vegetables Powdered milk

The Mississippi Food Network is located in Jackson Mississippi. You can see us online at www.msfoodnet.org for more info.