After the Storm: A Food System Analysis In collaboration with agriculture, health and social service departments at five regional universities, GNOA is in the second phase of a comprehensive study of three major components of the food system in a post-Katrina/Rita environment: emergency food gaps, production, and consumption. For example, the map of all farms in Louisiana determines the typical production path for food as it goes "from farm to fork," allowing GNOA to analyze behaviors, knowledge and needs of consumers in relation to food and nutrition and to bridge gaps in food access throughout the region.

Food Distribution Program Through this collaborative effort, food manufacturers, distributors, retailers, brokers and farmers in south Louisiana donate food to GNOA, which is then distributed to a network of member agencies. The donated food is usually unmarketable (e.g. dented cans, mislabeled product), yet is safe and nutritious. This program is supplemented by food purchases to ensure nutritional balance.

Mobile Pantry The Mobile Pantry is a rolling food supply that provides food directly to communities that lack grocery stores and/or organizations that offer food assistance. The pantries deliver produce and dry goods directly into areas that are identified as "food deserts", or regions where citizens have to travel more than 10 miles to reach a grocery store. This program enables GNOA to reach out to rural or underserved populations and participate in a continuum of services (such as mobile healthcare units) brought directly to the most vulnerable.

Backpack Program (Lagniappe Pack) This program addresses the needs of school children at chronic risk for hunger by providing backpacks of food for consumption during non-school times. Backpacks are stocked with 10-12 nutritious, child-friendly, easy-to-prepare items from each of the food groups; they are distributed discreetly on Fridays or the last day before a school break. 443 children at seven New Orleans schools are currently receiving backpacks weekly and funding is being sought to expand this program to the 48 schools on a waiting list throughout south Louisiana. A pilot Lagniappe Pack program for senior citizens is also underway.

Kids Cafe Launched at its first post Katrina/Rita location in September 2007, Kids Cafe responds to childhood hunger at the neighborhood level. The program, conducted in collaboration with Xavier University, feeds a weekly average of 31 students a nutritious dinner meal as part of an after-school academic mentoring program. Many community members and organizations (such as the Junior League and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation), as well as parents, participate in making a long-term impact in children's lives.

9-A-Day the Head Start Way 9-A-Day refers to the recommended number of fruits and vegetables the average person should consume daily. During this three-year pilot program schools receive produce, nutritious snacks and meals prepared by Head Start food staff. Additionally, the LSU Agricultural Center provides preschool nutrition curriculum materials and training, and surveys the impact of the program on the young children it serves. The purpose of the pilot phase of the program is to determine the most effective way to improve children's eating habits. 877 students and caregivers and 136 staff are involved in 9-A-Day.

Second Helpings This innovative food rescue program ensures that prepared food that would otherwise go to waste is distributed to people in need. GNOA gathers surplus foods from restaurants, hotels, caterers, and conventions and distributes it to hungry community members through on-site feeding programs.

The Louisiana Assistance Nutrition Program (LANIAP) The President and CEO of GNOA was elected to serve as the President of the Louisiana Food Bank Association (LFBA). Under her leadership, the LFBA requested funding from the state legislature to buy food from Louisiana farmers, fishermen and vendors to give to Louisiana's hungry. The legislature and Governor responded with an award of $5 million to GNOA to purchase food for proportional distribution to people in need throughout all 64 Louisiana parishes.

Disaster Response GNOA has created and implemented a comprehensive Disaster Management Plan that is formulated on an "all hazards approach." Lessons learned from GNOA response to natural disasters such as Katrina and Rita were incorporated into the new plan in addition to preparedness procedures for events such as Pandemic Illness (where a three-month isolation plan may be implemented), Mass Casualty Incidents (a refinery accident, airplane incident or mass power outages), chemical exposures (terrorism-oriented or other), and natural disasters (earthquake, floods, tornadoes). 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
1201 Sams Avenue
New Orleans, La 70123

O: 504-734-1322
F: 504-733-8336

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
7:30am -4:00pm