Three food security alerts from the Center for Y2k and Society:

1. Letter to Second Harvest, from the Center for Y2k and Society, regarding vulnerabilities in the nation's food supply. Has some interesting information regarding efforts by the Center (and by Congress) to investigate the corporate food production system, and reports that such efforts have been stymied by resistence from the corporations.

Letter to Second Harvest

2. A short briefing paper regarding impacts of Y2k on the food chain.

Impacts of Y2k on the food chain

3. Y2k, the food supply, and key support programs, has some basic info, plus excellent food security links.

Y2k and the food supply link page

Robert Waldrop ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Archbishop Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House, Oklahoma City http://www.justpeace.org/pilgrimage2000.htm Justice and peace meditations on the daily lectionary readings

-- robert waldrop (rmwj@soonernet.com), October 14, 1999

Answers

Excellent, thanks, Robert. Here's the Food supply link info:

Y2K Offers Both Challenges and Opportunities: A Briefing Paper for Food Banks

The purpose of this short briefing paper is to outline how Y2K may impact the food banking system and to suggest an action plan for food banks. For those involved in feeding the disadvantaged, Y2K is a double-edged sword: it offers both significant challenges and a number of opportunities.

On the challenge side, Y2K is almost certain to increase pressure on food banks:

Even if not a single computer fails, there will be increased demand for food that could place pressure on the food supply system.

Everyone from the Red Cross to the U.S. Government to Consumers Union is recommending that consumers stock up on food. Your member agencies and, in turn, those whom they serve, are likely to follow this advice, increasing demand on emergency food providers at the same time that the public demands more from the general food supply.

A wide range of government benefit programs such as Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Support Enforcement, WIC and Unemployment Insurance are not yet Y2K-ready in all areas of the nation. If any of those programs fail, there could be increased demand on food banks in the affected region. Under various worst case scenarios, the local food supply system could suffer a breakdown if transportation systems fail; electric power is cut-off, or other key utility systems collapse. In such a worst case scenario, food banks would be challenged to replenish stocks and meet demand. These disruptions could create new demands for emergency food from the public. Your own operations might be impacted by Y2K: your computers might fail, or those of your suppliers and vendors, or your volunteers might be called away to attend to their families or jobs at the moment they are most needed. On the other hand, there are opportunities for food banks in the Y2K problem: As people stockpile food for Y2K and assuming no food shortages hit, there will be an opportunity to ask people to donate their Y2K emergency stocks to food banks. These Y2K food drives could be activated as early as late January or early February 2000 (or later, depending on Y2K's impact) but must be planned now. Foundations, corporations, and individual donors may be willing to assist food banks in expanding their food and water stocks and making other preparations this fall in anticipation of Y2K. As the public feels increasingly vulnerable to Y2K induced food shortages, the food banking system will have a unique opportunity to discuss the concept of food security and the extremely important role that food banks play in our society. As the news media increasingly calls food-banking organizations about Y2K, there will be an opportunity for you to tell your story to a wider, more receptive audience. A Suggested Food Bank Action Plan To prepare for these challenges and to seize the accompanying opportunities, food banks could consider the following actions:

Make certain your own systems and operations are ready for Y2K and assure both your food suppliers and the agencies that rely on you that you are fully prepared to offer services throughout the New Year. Survey your member agencies regarding their preparations and planned strategies around Y2K issues and assist them in getting ready for Y2K by providing advice, suggestions, resources and if necessary, referrals. Communicate with your key vendors and food suppliers to make certain that they are likely to continue to be able to operate into the New Year. Explore possible increases in donations of essential foods and water in light of the increased risks posed by Y2K. Consider continuing these beyond Y2K. Secure and store extra water inventory in addition to staple foods. Encourage full disclosure by utilities, government agencies, the financial industry, and the food service industry regarding their preparations for Y2K. Ensure that contingency plans are in place in your community in the event that key government benefit programs fail. Participate in community-wide planning with other disaster relief organizations to develop emergency responses to potential Y2K related disruptions. Prepare to collect post-Y2K food supplies that may have been stockpiled by individuals, government agencies, or food industry donors. Such collections should take place after any lingering Y2K problems have been resolved. Communicate your Y2K strategy through an appropriate public outreach campaign, including regular discussions with the media. Become a resource to the media on how the community will respond for those most in need. Develop messages that inform: Affected agencies, low-income persons and the public of the potential risks of Y2K and your responses. The public about the ongoing role of food banks and related institutions in assuring food security for vulnerable populations. Suggested Resources The President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion http://www.y2k.gov/ The U.S. Senate http://y2k.senate.gov/ U.S. House list of High-Impact Federal Programs (in PDF format) http://www.house.gov/reform/gmit/y2k/990910HighImpact.pdf Small Business Workshop http://y2khelp.nist.gov/pages.nsf/pages/toolhome.html USDA Food Sector Working Group http://www.usda.gov/aphis/FSWG/ The American Red Cross (in PDF format) http://www.redcross.org/disaster/safety/Y2Keng.pdf The Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/y2k/ The Utne Reader's Y2K Citizen's Action Guide http://www.utne.com/y2k/; also (800) 880-8863 1800 K Street, NW, Suite 924 * Washington, DC 20006 * tel: 202 775- 3157 * fax: 202 775-3199 * www.y2kcenter.org

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), October 20, 1999.