Employer's name
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Food Authenticity Membership Category; please pick a category that best describes your profession:
Other
If you selected 'Other members' for membership category, please provide details of your profession
I am the food safety specialist for a non-profit food bank in Oklahoma! We have several programs that I oversee- including a protein repack center, a small retail-style kitchen, a warehouse distribution network, and a volunteer center.
Additional information about your food authenticity interests
I have recently become aware of the prevalence of food fraud, and it's very alarming to me. I am passionate about the connection between food/diet and overall health, and it is so discouraging to realize that the food you are purchasing may not be what it is labeled as. For instance, I personally try to avoid processed vegetable oils as they contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. I primarily cook with avocado and olive oils. Knowing that I could be purchasing an "olive oil" that actually contains inflammatory seed oils is infuriating!
At the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, we serve over 50 counties in Oklahoma and work with almost 300 partner agencies. Oklahoma is one of the hungriest states in the US, and so many people are relying on us for sustenance. Many of the people we serve are more susceptible to falling ill from food, so it is important that the food we give to our neighbors is safe and wholesome. We need to be certain that the food that is donated to us is actually what it claims it is.
