Bainum Family Foundation Releases Enhanced Version of ‘Food Learning Locator’ to Better Serve D.C. Metro Area

Bethesda, Maryland (March 18, 2019) — With a new streamlined design and user-friendly interface for both desktop and mobile devices, the Food Learning Locator — an online tool powered by the Bainum Family Foundation — was just relaunched with updates to improve users’ experience. The Food Learning Locator is part of the Foundation’s Food Security Initiative, which works to improve food access and quality in low-income neighborhoods in the District of Columbia. Aligned with these efforts, the interactive tool serves as a one-stop resource for finding food-related education and job-training programs and organizations across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

“Before the Food Learning Locator, the Foundation and our partners had identified a significant information gap in the local food education and training field,” said Katie Jones, Director, Food Security Initiative for the Foundation. “We created the Food Learning Locator to address that gap. Since its creation, we have learned more from our partners and those who use our tool about how it could add greater value to the community. Acting on that feedback, we spent the past several months revitalizing the website. Now, we’re excited to release this resource back to our region.”

Along with aesthetic changes to make the site more visually appealing, the relaunched version of the Food Learning Locator has enhanced search functionality and filter tools (including the ability to search for programs/organizations by zip code) and helps users engage with programs/organizations on social media. Additionally, organizations featured on the map (currently 60 of them) can now supply more information about their programs (currently more than 100 of them) — and better promote them.

“Those of us working in community programming have — for too long — lacked a database to consolidate the many resources available in Washington, D.C.,” said Kristy McCarron, Healthy Eating Specialist for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. “The Food Learning Locator provides just that. Sharing this easy-to-use tool with our program participants will increase awareness of additional resources and also amplify the work of many other community organizations. It’s a real win for all of us.”

Originally launched in September 2017, the Food Learning Locator was first conceptualized as a collaboration tool for organizations that run these programs. However, to help these organizations connect with funders as well as community members interested in food-learning opportunities, it was also made publicly available. Potential users of the tool include:

  • Local nonprofits and other program providers looking to partner on food-learning programs
  • Philanthropists looking to support organizations in the food education/training field
  • Parents wanting to learn how to shop for and prepare healthy meals
  • Teachers looking for hands-on food learning opportunities to bring to their schools
  • Local farms seeking applicants for their on-site farmer training programs — and beginning farmers looking for such training
  • Young adults searching for culinary or food entrepreneurship training
  • Clinicians wanting to help their patients learn more about healthy eating
  • Recruiters looking for local talent fresh out of job training programs

“As a foundation, we’re committed to collaboration and continuous learning as two of our four core values,” said Barbara Bainum, Chair of the Board, CEO and President of the Foundation. “The Food Learning Locator, and our team’s commitment to improving it, embodies these values. With the latest enhancements, we are confident that this online tool will provide even greater benefit to the D.C. community — including the children and families we serve in Wards 7 and 8.”

The Food Learning Locator is available online at http://foodlearninglocator.org.

 

The Bainum Family Foundation combines proven expertise with a passion for supporting the whole child by providing integrated services to help them thrive. Our circle of collaboration includes investments and support in early learning, wrap-around services and knowledge building. Founded in 1968 by Stewart and Jane Bainum, the Foundation has helped underserved children exit poverty through high-quality educational programs and services for 50 years. For more information, visit bainumfdn.org.

Contact

Ann Egan
Senior Director of Communications
Bainum Family Foundation
7735 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 1000
Bethesda, MD 20814
240.450.0027
aegan@bainumfdn.org