ITEM DEFERRED TO THE JUNE 30, 2021 NQLC MEETING.

At the April 21, 2021 City Commission meeting, Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora submitted for consideration by the Mayor and Commission a referral to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee regarding the location for a “Community Fridge” as being hosted in other municipalities. The item was moved through acclimation.

A Community Fridge is a grassroots effort to address food insecurity by locating refrigerators near food stores, restaurants and stores that can be filled through donations from area residents and businesses as an informal way to address food insecurity and food deserts (an area with limited access to affordable, nutritious food). The use of refrigerators allows food to stay fresh longer and expand selections beyond typical, shelf-stable food items. The program seeks to provide food to anyone free of stigma while expanding accessibility to any time of the day. Volunteers agree to maintain the refrigerators. Anyone can drop off food donations and anyone can also access the food for their use.

The concept originated in Germany earlier in the decade and eventually spread to the United States within the past two years -- growing quickly as a result of the pandemic. In Miami, the Buddy System has identified 10 Community Fridges:

1 As provided by buddysystemmia.com/fridge (5/12/2021)

The Community Fridge requires a donated refrigerator and location with power supply as well as volunteers to maintain the refrigerator and ensure cleanliness and the removal of spoiled goods. Ideally, the refrigerator should be accessible by the public wishing to donate or access food. Traditionally, the refrigerators are located either near food deserts or high-need areas populated by low-income persons.

The City, which currently operates a food pantry for those adversely impacted by COVID (as well as a grocery delivery program for the elderly), had served 500 households per week at its peak in 2020. However, demand has dropped sharply and continues to fall week over week with only 75 households served the week of May 10, 2020. The City’s food pantry is open to all residents including those receiving Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Residents receiving SNAP benefits cannot access the pantry for two (2) weeks after their benefit receipt date.

Based on an analysis of food pantry beneficiaries from March 23, 2021 through April 13, 2021, the following are attributes found within those seeking this service:

·       Only 84% of scheduled appointments for food pick-up appeared

·       28.3% of households served were single-member households

·       The average household size served was 2.5 persons

·       About 32% of people accessing pantry services also receive SNAP benefits

In addition to the City’s food pantry program and SNAP services, the City is a participating agency for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and can provide Publix food vouchers as well as register or recertify SNAP applicants. In addition to these resources, the following community agencies provide food support:

·       Temple Beth Sholom

·       St. Vincent de Paul Society/ St. Patrick Catholic Church