Trustees table $114,500 Yolo Food Bank renewal, request site‑level participation and distribution details

Trustees on June 25 voted to table a proposed $114,500 renewal with Yolo Food Bank that would continue food distributions to three district schools using community schools grant funds, citing questions about utilization and distribution practices.

Audrey Streak presented the item, saying the contract continues a partnership serving three schools with high rates of free and reduced‑price meal eligibility and that the renewal would be paid from community schools grant funds. The fiscal impact was listed as $114,500.

Several trustees pressed for more data before approving the contract. Trustee Kirby Gonzalez asked how many families actually receive food at each school each month, whether distributions occur after school and whether the food is reaching the intended families. "If our families are not utilizing this service the way we had intended, then I would love for us to be able to put the funds in areas where they are utilizing it," she said. Trustees asked for site‑level counts, the distribution process, evidence of what happens to excess food and whether Yolo Food Bank provides preparation guidance for fresh items.

Staff said site committees (community schools committees) had voted to prioritize the service based on needs assessments, and that the food bank’s offerings were intended to augment other distributions and provide higher‑quality staples such as fresh produce. District staff said they would supply the requested participation numbers and distribution process details and that Director Flores—who had experience with the program—was unable to attend the meeting due to illness.

Trustee Kirby Gonzalez moved and the board seconded a motion to table the renewal to the next meeting so staff could provide the requested information; the motion carried.

The tabling does not cancel the service; it pauses board approval pending clearer documentation of site participation, distribution mechanics and whether the expenditure represents the best use of community schools grant funds at those sites.