Community Market of Pottawatomie County

PROJECT PURPOSE

Community Market of Pottawatomie County is a client choice food and resource center affiliate of the Regional Foodbank of Oklahoma. Emphasizing nutritious foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, we combat food insecurity in Pottawatomie, Seminole, and Lincoln Counties. In 2021, we served over 83,647 individuals across the tri-county area. Funding is being requested to support food purchases and staffing as we continue to see increased food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the COVID-19 crisis began, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of families needing assistance. In 2019, we served 74,350 individuals. In 2021, this number increased by 12.5%. This request seeks to address the public health struggles of primarily low-income food insecure individuals across Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole Counties.

EVIDENCE

Feeding America?s Map the Meal Gap tool estimates Pottawatomie, Seminole, and Lincoln County?s food insecurity rate to average 16% (approximately 20,530 people). More concerning, the child food insecurity rate in the region is 22.4%. With food insecurity being linked to issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, aggression and mental health issues, academic achievement, economic prosperity, and risk of chronic illnesses such as asthma and anemia, access to food truly impacts every aspect of our lives.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Community Market of Pottawatomie County (CMPC) primarily serves Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Seminole Counties. The average food insecurity rate for these three counties is 16% (Feeding America). Additionally, the average poverty rate for these three counties is 17% (US Census Bureau). These counties are all designated as rural, which contributes to additional barriers related to food access, such as transportation. Additionally, due to lack of social services and economic opportunity, rural areas tend to take longer to recover from economic downturns, such as this one. With Shawnee being the largest community and hub in CMPC?s catchment area, the remainder of the service area struggles with resiliency in overcoming economic, health, and social emergencies. However, CMPC?s Mobile Market helps eliminate barriers to services by travelling to these impacted regions.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Community Market of Pottawatomie County (CMPC) utilizes Link2Feed, the software system utilized by the Regional Foodbank of Oklahoma, to track client data and outcomes, including age, race/ethnicity, visits to the market, and any supplementary programs they participate in. Clients receiving services must fit within our income and geographic guidelines and can receive food once every 30-days. A professional accountant tracks all income and expenses. The CMPC Board of Directors, which includes professionals versed in finance and accounting, reviews monthly budgetary reports, including grant data. CMPC tracks grant data throughout the term of the grant award to prepare for grant reporting.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma