County Examples & Solutions

Food Agent Program

Tags: Health
  • Document

    Food Agent Program

    Baltimore County, Md.

    The Food Agent Program is a support service of the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Home Team Program (herein referred to as BCDA). Its mission is to make free, donated, non-potentially hazardous food accessible to homebound, food insecure seniors residing in Baltimore County. Assigned direct-service volunteers, (herein referred to as “food agents”) pick-up and deliver non-potentially hazardous food to seniors in Baltimore County who have been identified as homebound and food insecure through a BCDA assessment process. After successful completion of the assessment process, eligible seniors are registered as Food Agent Program clients, connected to partnering food pantries and receive regular food deliveries from food agents. Presently in 2017, the program has 32 food agents, provides service coordination and food to 87 households consisting of seniors at 125% poverty level in Baltimore County and has 26 food pantry partnerships. Food agents deliver approximately 200 bags of free food per month, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and serve households with eligible homebound, low-income seniors and their family members, some of whom are young grandchildren. The Food Agent Program could not have been accomplished without successful partnerships with local food pantries and the dedication of direct-service staff and volunteers.

    Contact: 
    Ms. Ethel R. Rasmussen 
    Communications Office Manager

    Baltimore County, Md.
    2017-07-11
    County Examples & Solutions
    2017-07-31

Baltimore County, Md.

The Food Agent Program is a support service of the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s Home Team Program (herein referred to as BCDA). Its mission is to make free, donated, non-potentially hazardous food accessible to homebound, food insecure seniors residing in Baltimore County. Assigned direct-service volunteers, (herein referred to as “food agents”) pick-up and deliver non-potentially hazardous food to seniors in Baltimore County who have been identified as homebound and food insecure through a BCDA assessment process. After successful completion of the assessment process, eligible seniors are registered as Food Agent Program clients, connected to partnering food pantries and receive regular food deliveries from food agents. Presently in 2017, the program has 32 food agents, provides service coordination and food to 87 households consisting of seniors at 125% poverty level in Baltimore County and has 26 food pantry partnerships. Food agents deliver approximately 200 bags of free food per month, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and serve households with eligible homebound, low-income seniors and their family members, some of whom are young grandchildren. The Food Agent Program could not have been accomplished without successful partnerships with local food pantries and the dedication of direct-service staff and volunteers.

Contact: 
Ms. Ethel R. Rasmussen 
Communications Office Manager

About 100 Brilliant Ideas at Work

Counties play an essential role in keeping America’s communities healthy, vibrant and safe. With public and private sector partners, we pursue innovative approaches to advance public health and well-being, protect public safety and foster economic strength and resiliency. Counties anticipate and adapt to challenges by thinking outside the box and demonstrating local leadership that makes a difference in people’s lives.

Under the leadership of NACo Immediate Past President Bryan Desloge, NACo embarked on an initiative to identify and share 100 examples of visionary county leadership that results in improving residents’ quality of life. Through this initiative, NACo worked with county leaders and partners to share best practices that bolster our nation’s ability to thrive county by county.

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