The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) released the 2023 Food Systems Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in late February with the goal of strengthening Seattle’s coordinated food system to increase food security and access to nutritious and culturally relevant food for low-income Seattle households. HSD, in alignment with the Seattle Food… [ Keep reading ]
The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) released the 2023 Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Coordination and Food Procurement RFQ in late January with the goal of increasing food access for low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) children and families who are part of the Seattle Preschool Program…. [ Keep reading ]
As the school year comes to an end, the excitement for summer vacations and outdoor activities is everywhere. But for some children, summer isn’t just about fun and games. It’s a time when the safety net of school-provided meals disappears, leaving them vulnerable to food insecurity. Understanding this urgent issue,… [ Keep reading ]
Each year, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) invests hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts to more than 200 community-based organizations (CBOs) and programs that support strong and healthy communities. In recognition of Women’s History Month, we are shining a spotlight on women-led organizations that receive funding from HSD and are breaking barriers in the community. In this post, we feature the incredible President & CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle (ULMS), Michelle Merriweather. She has been with ULMS since 2016 and has served in various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and CEO, before being appointed as the permanent CEO in 2019. Michelle is also a co-founder of The Equity Collaborative, a group of healthcare leaders focused on advancing health equity and promoting the development of culturally responsive care.
**Updated 3/17/2023 At the City of Seattle’s Human Services Department (HSD), we are committed to improving the quality of life for older adults in our community. That’s why we’re excited to announce four funding opportunities for agencies that share our vision and are passionate about supporting older adults in maintaining… [ Keep reading ]
The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn hit low-income families and families of color the hardest, leading to increased food and living costs. In November 2022, the US Consumer Price Index reported a 12% rise in prices for food prepared at home and a 10% increase in gas prices over the… [ Keep reading ]
What is your role at Seattle Human Services? As a Planning Manager in the Youth and Family Empowerment Division of Seattle Human Services, I’m responsible for the investment of millions of dollars in food banks, meals, child nutrition, farm to table-nutrition education, Fresh Bucks To Go, community connectors, and the… [ Keep reading ]
The Youth and Family Empowerment (YFE) Division of the City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is seeking applications from agencies interested in program coordination and food procurement for the Seattle Farm to Preschool Program (formerly known as Seattle Farm to Table). This 2023 Seattle Farm to Preschool Program Coordination and Food Procurement… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) recently issued its 2023 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This notice provides an overview of HSD’s impending funding opportunities for 2023 with a brief description of the service areas for each opportunity, anticipated funding amounts, release dates, and contract start dates. Once finalized, HSD will issue detailed funding opportunities for each investment.
The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2022 Farm to Table Support Services RFP which closed May 5, 2022. HSD originally released $839,815—a total of $766,158 in Seattle Sweetened Beverage Tax (SBT) funding and $73,657 in City of Seattle General Fund—seeking proposals from organizations and farmers interested in food equity in Seattle Preschool Programs serving low-income children and families. An additional $60,951 of SBT funding allocated toward Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 is being proposed to be reprogrammed to this RFP. Therefore, the total proposed amount for this RFP is now $900,766. The Farm to Table Support Services RFP was the result of a year of community engagement with families, children, and preschool staff. The RFP invests in healthy, local, sustainable, culturally relevant food access and education and has two program components: nutrition education and Farm to Family Food Bags.
