On Tuesday, SDNEDC held its September board meeting at the North County Food Bank in Vista. Before the meeting, we got a taste of what it’s like to volunteer packing bags for San Diego Food Bank’s “Food 4 Kids Backpack Program,” serving 19 school districts, 80 elementary schools, and 3,500+ kids in San Diego County.
Employees have the process down to a science, playing “food Tetris” with the items to make the most of the space in each packed bag. Every Friday night, students in need are discreetly given these food packs to help sustain them over the weekend, since many students face food insecurity on days they don’t receive free or discounted meals from school.
Tour of North County Food Bank
After packing the bags, SDNEDC board members were given a tour of the facility from Programs Manager David Perez. We learned that about 4.5 trailers of food are packed and distributed from this one volunteer room we were working in. Students get one of two menus (alternating week to week to create variety) and once per month, a family food pack is sent home that can sustain the whole family for the weekend.
North County Food Bank is also one of only FOUR diaper banks in California, and they provide menstrual products to those experiencing period poverty, or the inability to afford these necessary products.
Client Choice Pantry
At their Client Choice Pantry, clients can the self-select nutritious foods that prefer on a bimonthly basis in a space that resembles a small grocery store.
Since opening two years ago, the North County Food Bank has expanded from serving 850 households to over 4,000, thanks to the addition of the pantry. The pantry is open by appointment only on Monday-Friday.
For those experiencing or know someone experiencing food insecurity, help can be found at the San Diego Food Bank’s webpage by clicking the red “Get Food” button at the top of the page.
Stewarding Resources & Gaining Awareness
After the tour, board members were given a financial report, discussed possible opportunities to invest Council funds into economic development projects in 2025, and received presentations from the supporting and opposing sides about Measure G.
On the ballot in November, Measure G proposes a 1/2 cent sales tax increase to fund road and transportation improvements. Recognizing the impact on North County residents and visitors, board members engaged in an informational discussion to explore all perspectives and stay informed as business leaders and regional stewards.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Event
Our 6th Excellence in North County Economic Development Awards event will take place on December 19 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside. Award Nominations and early bird ticket sales are open. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for December’s event, please contact Caitlyn Canby at ccanby@sdnedc.org.
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About the Author
Caitlyn Canby loves to discover and share people’s stories. She has her bachelor’s degree in Communications with over 10 years of journalism experience. An Escondido native, she lived on Catalina Island off the coast of Long Beach, CA before moving back home to North County. She now lives a little more rurally with her husband, two children, and two dogs in the “Friendly Village” of Fallbrook. Caitlyn enjoys collaborating on projects as Chief Operating Officer at SDNEDC, traveling internationally, gaming, and exploring new restaurants, venues, experiences, and cultures.