Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: September 30, 2026
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 Y27-2145, Provision of Community Services
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of Contract Y27-2145, Provision of Community Services, with Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Inc., in the total contract award amount of $1,250,000 for a one year term. ([Community and Family Services Department Citizens’ Commission for Children Division] Procurement Division)
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PROCUREMENT:
This agreement establishes the Orange County Food Distribution Initiative, designed to increase access to nutritious food for Orange County residents experiencing food insecurity. Through collaboration among the Orange County Mayor’s Office, County Commissioners, and participating partner agencies, the initiative will help address barriers to food access and reduce the number of families who go without reliable access to nutritious meals. The performance period is upon contract execution through September 30, 2027.
FUNDING:
Funding is available in account number 0001-000-062-2540-8610.
APPROVALS:
This contract will be supported with funding allocated to the Citizens’ Commission for Children to address an identified community need. The Citizens’ Commission for Children concurs with this funding recommendation.
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.
According to Second Harvest, approximately one in seven Orange County residents experience food insecurity. Among children, that figure increases to approximately one in five, largely due to persistent economic challenges faced by families. The Orange County Food Distribution Initiative is intended to help overcome these barriers by bringing nutritious food directly to communities and residents who need it most.
The initiative provides a total of $700,000 in Mayor and Commissioner allocations, with the Mayor receiving $100,000 and each County Commissioner receiving $75,000. These funds will support food distributions at approved locations strategically selected to provide convenient access for families and individuals experiencing food insecurity, helping ensure resources reach those who need them most.
In addition to the Mayor/Commissioner allocations, $445,833.33 shall be available to the Second Harvest for the implementation of the Orange County Food Bank Distribution Program. The program will operate as a centralized warehouse capable of sourcing, storing, and distributing substantial quantities of nutritious, high-quality food-including shelf-stable items, fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, and baby food/formula-to partner agencies such as food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, motels, and other community organizations serving children and families. Services must address various dietary needs, adhere to all food safety regulations, and include the capacity for emergency food relief during disasters or sudden demand surges. The agency shall have Memorandums of Understanding in place that outline the requirements related to the distribution of food associated with the contract. The agency will maintain documentation to verify the provision of outputs/units of service reported.
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 for over a decade. Second Harvest Food Bank has demonstrated compliance with prior contracts and has satisfactorily delivered healthy foods to families throughout Orange County.
As a sourcing and distribution organization, Second Harvest Food Bank has a current network of over 300 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.
Combined, the funding would provide food to an estimated 207,500 households or 383,900 individuals.
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. 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 300 locations countywide, representing all Commission Districts. All Orange County residents may have access to funded programs/services.