Summer Education Series

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is committed to helping members of the community understand the complexities and root causes of hunger and poverty, as well as the organizations working together to build and sustain hunger free communities. Throughout the Summer Education Series, Natasha Thompson, Food Bank president and CEO, will welcome several of our content experts who have helped the Food Bank expand our services in response to COVID-19.

Our first guest is Mark Bordeau. Mark is the Director of Food Service for Broome-Tioga BOCES. He serves as the president of the School Nutrition Association and is also a member of the Governor’s Food Policy and Hunger Task Force. Mark has three decades of experience in child nutrition, and he’s created a highly successful school food program that manages cafeterias across 15 districts in Broome and Tioga Counties. He developed the Rock On Café, a marketing program to promote increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk. In addition, Mark has not only served on our Board of Directors, but he is a current member of our Advocacy Committee.

COVID-19 has impacted many of the partner agencies that the Food Bank works with, and has caused most of them to pivot their services and operations to ensure the safety of their clients, volunteers and staff. During our Summer Education Series: Senior Access, Natasha Thompson, Food Bank President & CEO, and Jessica Gosa, Executive Director of Foodnet Meals on Wheels in Tompkins County, discuss the specific impact COVID-19 has had on seniors and on the Meals on Wheels program.

In this Summer Education Series edition, Natasha Thompson, Food Bank President & CEO, learns from Tabitha Brewster, CEO of Catholic Charities of Steuben County & Catholic Charities of Livingston County, how the pandemic has impacted partner agencies, their clients and their staff.