Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: August 1, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
FROM: Carrie Mathes, FNIGP, CFCM, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, C.P.M., Manager II, Procurement Division
CONTACT: Angela Chestang, Manager, Citizens’ Commission for Children Division
PHONE: 407-836-6541
SUBJECT: Approval of Contract Y25-2061, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y25-2061, Provision of Community Services, with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Inc., in the amount of $7,750,000 for a three-year term.
([Community and Family Services Department Citizens’ Commission for Children Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This contract will provide funds for food bank distribution services to meet the nutritional needs of children and their families by sourcing and providing a steady supply of nutritious, high-quality food, including shelf-stable items (canned goods, grains, proteins), dairy, fresh produce, frozen items, and baby food/formula. The performance period is upon contract execution through December 31, 2028.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-062-2556-8610.
APPROVALS:
The Citizens’ Review Panel for Human Services recommended Second Harvest Food Bank to receive funding to provide these services. Second Harvest Food Bank has previously been awarded funding by the Citizens’ Commission for Children and has been funded to provide food bank distribution services since August 2021.
Second Harvest Food Bank has demonstrated compliance with prior contracts and has satisfactorily delivered healthy foods through food box distribution to families throughout Orange County.
REMARKS:
In accordance with the Code of Ordinances, Part 1, Chapter 17, Article III, Section 17-286 - Application and Exclusions, agreements between the Board and nonprofit organizations are excluded from competitive procurement requirements.
Food insecurity is a complex issue with multiple root causes that are often interconnected and is linked to a number of adverse health outcomes, as well as being a leading public health issue. Households with limited resources must often choose between paying for food or other essentials.
According to Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap report, approximately 177,180 residents of Orange County experience food insecurity, meaning they do not have reliable access to enough food for an active, healthy life. The demand for food assistance in Central Florida remains high, driven by persistent challenges such as inflation and rising food costs influenced by environmental and economic factors.
Evidence shows that even marginal food insecurity can be a significant predictor of poor health in children. Health issues like asthma, childhood obesity, and diabetes can all be factors associated with food insecurity and lead to lifelong problems. Additionally, researchers have found that food-insecure children experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Food insecurity also affects the mental health of parents and guardians. Depression and anxiety can further impact their ability to nurture their children.
As a sourcing and distribution organization, Second Harvest Food Bank has a current network of over 375 feeding partners in Orange County. These trusted feeding partners play a central role in reaching and engaging food insecure families in Orange County and are encouraged to share news of their distributions via grassroots efforts like word-of-mouth, sharing via their social media platforms, e-blasts, and flyers.
Second Harvest Food Bank estimates to serve more than 400,000 Orange County residents annually, distributing 50,000 food boxes and 3.4 million pounds of food in the first contract year.
In addition to Marketing Strategies employed by Second Harvest Food Bank the Citizens’ Commission for Children Division (CCC) offers a comprehensive resource directory of all funded programming published on the CCC web page, located at www.ocfl.net/ccc <http://www.ocfl.net/ccc>. Through this directory, constituents may search for funded services within a specific distance of their home, place of work, or other address of significance.
Additionally, the CCC has contracted Community Engagement Specialists, located primarily in East and West Orange County, for service delivery to benefit citizens with an emphasis on maintaining contact with community groups, parents, and other caregivers, providing support to residents, as well as evaluating and responding to community needs concerning children. The CCC also employs a part-time Community Ambassador, whose role is primarily to engage with civic, law enforcement, and community groups to market services and to stay connected with the various community groups throughout Orange County.
Finally, the CCC maintains an electronic e-mail distribution database and distributes shared resources and information submitted by community non-profits monthly. This method allows funded and non-funded service providers the opportunity to learn about services, events, or special projects that may benefit the community at large.
Food distribution will occur at over 375 locations countywide, representing all Commission Districts. A comprehensive listing of feeding partner sites is available upon request. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.