Del Norte Emergency Feeding Task Force

Strengthening regional food resilience by coordinating a rapid, equitable response system for food access during disasters and disruptions

Overview

The Del Norte Emergency Feeding Task Force (EFTF) is a multi-agency collaboration working to strengthen Del Norte County’s ability to respond to both chronic food insecurity and emergency disruptions.

Facilitated by the Del Norte & Tribal Lands Community Food Council, the EFTF brings together more than 30 partners, including Tribal governments, community-based organizations, food pantries, public health agencies, and local government departments such as the Del Norte Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Del Norte Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Together, partners coordinate planning, share resources, and build systems that ensure food access before, during, and after emergencies.

Launch & Funding

  • Launch: EFTF Launched August 2024

  • Coordinator: Del Norte & Tribal Lands Community Food Council

  • Funding Sources:

    • September 2022-September 2026 USDA Regional Food System Partnership Grant (RFSPG) (Subawardee)

    • 2024-2026 HAF Disaster Resilience Grant

What We Do

  • The EFTF leads collaborative efforts that improve both preparedness and response capacity across the region. Key areas of work include:

    • Developing the Del Norte Multi-Agency Disaster Feeding Plan (MADFP)

    • Mapping emergency food distribution sites and resources

    • Coordinating communication systems across partner agencies

    • Strengthening supply chains for emergency food distribution

    • Supporting small farmers and producers by creating new market opportunities within emergency food distribution, expanding access to locally grown food, and building a more sustainable regional food economy.

    • Supporting culturally responsive and community-centered feeding strategies

    During activations—such as the SNAP disruption in Fall 2025—the EFTF operated as a unified network rather than in silos, enabling rapid coordination, clear communication, and expanded food distribution across the county.

  • The EFTF is an active partner in the North Coast Emergency Food System Network, a regional collaboration working to strengthen emergency food response across county lines.

    Through this network, partners are building systems that:

    • Expand access to locally grown food in emergency response

    • Create new market opportunities for small farmers and producers

    • Strengthen regional food supply chains for disaster resilience

    • Improve coordination across counties and Tribal food systems

    This regional partnership ensures that emergency food systems are not only responsive, but also supportive of local agriculture and long-term food sovereignty.

  • Since its launch in 2023, the Emergency Feeding Task Force has moved Del Norte County and Tribal Lands from a fragmented emergency food response system toward a coordinated, multi-agency network designed for both rapid response and long-term food resilience.

    The Task Force has established a consistent structure for cross-sector coordination, bringing together Tribal governments, emergency management, public health, food pantries, and community-based organizations to align planning, communication, and response strategies. This has improved the county’s ability to share information quickly and coordinate food distribution during both planned meetings and emergency activations.

    Key impacts include:

    • Established a standing Emergency Feeding Task Force coordination table with 30+ partner organizations actively engaged in planning and response

    • Completed and advanced development of the Del Norte Multi-Agency Disaster Feeding Plan (MADFP) as a shared framework for emergency food response

    • Conducted community focus groups that directly informed emergency feeding priorities, identified access barriers, and elevated community-defined needs

    • Created and refined emergency food system mapping tools, including identification of distribution sites, partner capacity, and resource gaps

    • Strengthened communication pathways between emergency management, Tribal food systems, and community-based food providers to support faster coordination during disruptions

    • Activated coordinated response structures during real-world events, including the Fall 2025 SNAP disruption, supporting unified communication and distribution efforts across partners

    • Integrated emergency food planning with regional agricultural systems through the North Coast Emergency Food System, connecting local producers to emergency food supply strategies

    • Increased alignment between emergency preparedness, Tribal food sovereignty priorities, and long-term food access strategies across the region

    Collectively, this work has resulted in a more coordinated and reliable emergency food system infrastructure in Del Norte County—one that improves response capacity during crises while also strengthening everyday relationships, planning systems, and regional food resilience.

  • The Emergency Feeding Task Force welcomes participation from agencies, Tribal partners, community organizations, and food system stakeholders.

    Opportunities to engage include:

    • Joining Task Force meetings

    • Participating in emergency planning workgroups

    • Supporting resource mapping and coordination efforts

    • Contributing to the Del Norte Emergency Feeding Plan development

    Contact: iya@dnatlfoodcouncil.org

    Meetings: 3rd Friday of every month virtual, with quarterly in person meetings with hybrid option.

Follow these links to other organizations that offer food security resources:

Pacific Pantry
RHS Food Bank
Senior Center
School Meals
Open Door Garden