‘No one should go hungry.’ Agency says Manatee is getting the food aid it needs | Letter to the editor

Recently, Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh offered thoughts on food relief in Manatee County. While we appreciate the opinion, there is a responsibility for the facts and would like our County Commissioners to be better informed. Here are the facts:

Fact: Feeding Tampa Bay does not take food out of Manatee County. All food secured in the county remains in the county. Since Manatee County does not have sufficient food resources to meet the community needs, Feeding Tampa Bay brings in additional food from outside the county – more than one million additional pounds per year.

Fact: Our location 40 miles to the north of Manatee County has never impaired our ability to provide the food needed by its residents. In fact, during recent disasters when agencies and food sources in the county were negatively impacted, our operation and transportation infrastructure allowed us to step in and provide critically needed support.

Fact: Food sharing fees have always been used in Manatee County – this is not a new process for the agencies. While the guidelines allow for up to 19 cents per pound, Feeding Tampa Bay actually averages less than 5 cents per pound and virtually all of our fresh and healthy foods are free of charge.

Fact: This year we have increased the amount of food being distributed in Manatee County. Not only have we met the food distribution volume of previous years, we have leveraged the support of our food resource network and donors in other counties who want to see Manatee County thrive.

Fact: The hunger landscape is evolving and we must evolve all with it. While it is true some agencies are experiencing changes in their delivery model, meeting the need of those we serve is requiring a new way of doing our work together. Feeding Tampa Bay is leading this charge, ensuring Manatee County is prepared for the future.

For food relief to be effective, it must be more accessible to families who are encountering increasing strain on their time and finances. Beyond that, the people we serve deserve access to right foods – fresh produce, dairy and proteins - which ultimately help us provide healthier futures. While shelf stable foods are necessary pantry items for meal preparation, they should not be the mainstay of our food distributions.

The future of food relief is a collective and collaborative effort. Marrying our current partnerships with new solutions at schools, medical facilities, bus stops, and even libraries, we provide new food delivery solutions that evidence our foundational belief that each child, family, neighborhood and community require a localized and tailored approach.

We do all of this for one reason: we believe no one should go hungry. It’s really that simple. Our work, always, is towards this greater end. We’re here for the families who need us - as we have been in the past and will be in the future.

Thomas Mantz, president and CEO

Feeding Tampa Bay

Tampa