Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Chief Executive Office
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): All
Rapid Response for Food Emergencies and Food Resilience Hub Initiative (Purchasing Policy Exemption). Consists of the implementation of a two-phase initiative to address both immediate hunger relief and long-term community resilience. A contract will be developed and executed in a form acceptable to the County Attorney or his designee. Awarded To: Retaaza, LLC. Amount Not To Exceed: $551,000.00
Body
Information Contact: Zachary L. Williams, Executive Assistant/COO
Phone Number: (404) 371-2174
PURPOSE:
To support residents who may be experiencing food insecurity, DeKalb County is reaffirming its commitment to stability and the well-being of residents by expanding access to essential services and launching new initiatives to support families in need. To meet the urgent and ongoing food access needs of its residents the County is launching a comprehensive, two-phase initiative to address both immediate hunger relief and long-term community resilience. Phase 1: 60-Day Holiday Activation and Phase 2: DeKalb County Food Resilience Hub.
Attachment: Scope of Work
NEED/IMPACT:
The County is taking measures to support families and expand initiatives to strengthen food access and community resources. The intended impact of implementing the Rapid Response for Food Emergencies and Food Resilience Hub Initiative is to ensure that “no family goes hungry during critical periods, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a more resilient and equitable local food system”, as proposed by Retaaza, LLC. Also proposed by this community partner, “through this initiative, DeKalb County seeks to achieve measurable, community-level outcomes, including:
• Distribution of nutritious, culturally relevant food to thousands of residents experiencing food
insecurity.
• Improved coordination and data-sharing among local food access partners, enabling more
equitable and efficient resource allocation.
• Strengthened partnerships between county agencies, local farmers, nonprofit organizations, and
community-based groups.
• Development of a logistics framework and operational playbook to inform the design of the
forthcoming Food Resilience Hub.”
FISCAL IMPACT:
Amount Not To Exceed: $551,000.00
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Recommend Award To: Retaaza, LLC, 3423 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305and authorize the Chief Executive Officer or her designee to execute the contract and all associated documents.