Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis
Secondary Department: Public Health Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Leah Barton
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Amendment
Project ID (if applicable): 220162
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Houston Food Bank
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request that the County Judge execute an amendment to an agreement with Houston Food Bank to update the budget in the Best and Final Offer (Exhibit B) and Statement of Work (Exhibit G) for reducing food insecurities for Public Health Services for the extended period of July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025 at no additional cost to the county (220162), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Non-Divisible.
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Background and Discussion:
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 800,000 Harris County residents were estimated to be food insecure, with an additional 1.3 million considered at risk of food insecurity. The pandemic significantly worsened these challenges, resulting in a sharp increase in demand for food assistance across the region. In response, Harris County provided immediate relief, including $15.8 million in labor services to food banks through an umbrella grant to the Houston Food Bank (HFB).
To address ongoing food insecurity, the ARPA Food & Nutrition focus area team developed strategic priorities centered around expanding food access and nutrition services, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic or classified as food deserts. Based on these priorities, Harris County Public Health issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) and awarded funds to organizations that aligned with the following goals:
• Improve food distribution infrastructure within the county
• Deliver food and nutrition services in high-need communities
• Serve as umbrella organizations to support hyperlocal food providers
The key deliverable under Strategy 1 - Food Purchases - includes the purchase of 320,512 pounds of culturally relevant and nutritious produce at $1.30 per pound. These foods will be distributed to underserved communities through Houston Food Bank's network of partners.
As of March 1, 2025, Houston Food Bank has terminated its subrecipient agreement with Plant It Forward due to the subrecipient’s inability to meet contract terms and conditions. The remaining funds from that agreement, totaling $75,689, are proposed to be reallocated to Houston Food Bank under Strategy 1 to fund the purchase and distribution of additional fresh produce.
Expected Impact:
Reallocating these funds will support the continued delivery of nutritious produce to food-insecure populations in Harris County. The additional investment will enable Houston Food Bank to procure and distribute more fresh, culturally appropriate foods, enhancing the impact of the county’s ARPA Food & Nutrition strategy. This adjustment ensures that previously awarded resources are used effectively and in alignment with program goals.
Alternative Options:
• Take no action - Funds would remain unallocated, reducing the total volume of food distributed and potentially delaying relief for food-insecure residents.
• Redirect funds to another subrecipient - May cause administrative delays and require additional vetting and contracting, which could slow food delivery.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 4. Improve physical and mental health outcomes across all communities.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): K2: Partner with community organizations to create new and build upon existing apprenticeship opportunities,
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N2: Increase food/nutrition education and access to healthier food.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
|
Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
|
5/10/2022 |
22-2805 |
Approval of a project scheduled for advertisement and consent for Request for Proposals for Reducing Food Insecurities for Public Health Services (220162). |
|
8/23/2022 |
22-5048 |
Approval of contract award on the basis of best proposals meeting requirements to four (4) vendors (220162) |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Reducing Food Insecurities for Harris County Public Health Services |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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2651 - American Rescue Plan 2021 |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
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Anticipated Court Date: 6/12/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Dr. Ericka Brown, Local Health Authority, Community Health and Wellness Division; Gisselle Zapata, Contract Manager, Purchasing
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Amendment