Expert Roundtable Addressing Food Insecurity

Join the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara for our Grants in Action Expert Roundtable on the growing crisis of food insecurity in Santa Barbara County. You’ll hear our experts explore the economic, social, and health impacts of food insecurity and why so many struggle to access nutritious food.

• Learn how existing support systems are working to meet the community’s food needs, increasingly without government support
• Discover how schools, health-care systems, nonprofits, government agencies, businesses, and the philanthropic community can collaborate on lasting solutions

Santa Barbara County has the highest poverty rate in California, per the Public Policy Institute of California.

• According to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, one in three households in our community faces food insecurity – more than double the national rate.
• The burden falls hardest on lower-income families and children, who must often prioritize housing, gas, utilities, and medical attention over nutritious food, even as drastic cuts in government aid increase the pressure on local nonprofits.

This is a unique, not-to-be-missed opportunity to listen in as our grantees and civic leaders problem-solve together to address food insecurity in our community. After the program, meet informally with the speakers in the New Vic courtyard to continue the conversation.

EXPERT PANEL:

• Lacey Baldiviez Johnston, PhD, President, Food Bank of Santa Barbara County
• Van Do-Reynoso, PhD, Chief Customer Experience Officer, CenCal Health
• Rachel Lipman, Assistant Director, Economic Assistance & Employment Services, Department of Social Services, Santa Barbara County
• Angela Miller-Bevan, Executive Director, Unity Shoppe
• Eryn Shugart, PhD, Executive Director, Veggie Rescue
• Moderator: Susan Liles, Nutrition Services/WIC Director for the County of Santa Barbara Health Department