Sponsor: Health and Wellness
Title
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Cooperative Expenditure Grant Agreement Proof of Concept for Food Security
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Recommendation
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1. Authorize the County Manager to implement the cooperative expenditure grant agreement Purchasing and Contracting Transformation pilot for Food Security Cooperative Grant project for Health and Wellness.
2. Authorize the County Manager to enter into multiple cooperative expenditure grant agreements and execute amendments to agreements in a form approved by Finance and the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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Based on the Ramsey County 2022 Food Security Assessment <https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Assistance%20and%20Support/Ramsey%20County%20Food%20Assessment.pdf>, data has revealed the steep increase of food insecurity among Ramsey County residents and the need to address this issue through various flexible programs. One way to address immediate food needs is to increase food distribution in places where Ramsey County is already providing services to residents.
To do this, staff are requesting approval to issue a solicitation through a pilot process for Purchasing and Contracting Transformation to issue cooperative grant agreements for food services. The solicitation will seek applications from qualified and trusted food safety-net organizations to support those who are experiencing food insecurity. Ramsey County will partner with food safety-net organizations such as food shelves, food banks, and other food services like backpack programs and other unprepared meal programs. The partner organizations will continue to build, expand, and extend current services to Ramsey County resident needs in a transformative manner.
These new cooperative grant agreements seek to remedy previous grant application challenges such as limited proposals submitted, barriers to smaller organizations applying, inflexible contract terms, or staffing requirements, by fostering greater participation from a wider array of organizations and offering the financial flexibility necessary to support direct service provision.
Pursuing these cooperative grant agreements will enable the Ramsey County and its partners to expand services to residents to effectively respond to immediate needs as they arise. The food security team is working across service teams to meet the demands of community, including offering food distribution within the many areas, including/but not limited to Libraries, Sheriff’s Office, the Appropriate Response Initiative team, Housing Stability, Community Corrections, Detox, Emergency Management, etc.
This work is supported by the Advancing a Holistic Approach to Strengthen Families and Individuals <https://www.ramseycounty.us/countywide-strategic-plan/advancing-holistic-approach-strengthen-individuals-families> strategic priority and the 2024/2025 Food Security Strategic Plan <https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Assistance%20and%20Support/FoodSecurityStrategicPlan-RamseyCo24.25.pdf>.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Innovative and transformative grant agreements are necessary to help meet the rising needs of food insecurity, which tends to be a racial equity issue. Investments in our local food safety-net systems will enhance their outreach and help our staff engage community more effectively. These grant agreements will allow the flexibility to tailor cultural, medical, or other specific food needs to meet the community impacted by food insecurity.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Through deep engagement while performing the 2022 food security assessment, a community-driven priority of supporting flexibility to address immediate community needs includes building partnerships within the food safety-net system, as well as increasing funding to food shelves for culturally appropriate, fresh, and healthy foods. Additionally, various departments have elevated food insecurity as an issue that community is facing as they seek Ramsey County services. This work will support upward mobility and through partnerships will support residents to thrive.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☒ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The budget for the Food Security Grant Agreements is undetermined. With cooperative grant agreements, statements of work will be created as partnerships are engaged. Departments will allocate funding from their operating budgets to provide these services.
Last Previous Action
On December 12, 2023, a Ramsey County board workshop was held on Advancing a Holistic Approach to Strengthening Families and Individuals.
Attachments
None.