The COVID-19 crisis has made it more difficult for many to obtain basic resources like nutritious food. Local schools, grocery markets, food banks, and food pantries have stepped up to meet the needs of our most vulnerable communities and neighbors. To help, City of Rocklin employees have created an interactive map to help easily locate available nutrition assistance.

View the map here.

“Our community has come together to offer resources for those in need and we wanted to use the tools we have to support these organizations and make this information accessible and easy to find,” said GIS Analyst Lauren James.

James and the GIS Division created the interactive map with assistance from Web Technician Carmela Yeseta, who gathered the food resource data that is accessed by the system.

“We hope this map makes it easy for residents to find the food assistance sites most convenient and closest to them,” Yeseta said. “Sacramento County has a similar map for meal distribution, and we wanted to create something for Placer County that serves the same needs.”

Residents can type in their address and find the closest nutrition services available to them. They can also filter what kind of service, agency, or distribution type to choose from.

The map includes three service types: community resources, schools, and supermarkets. The supermarkets listed offer pre-made food bags with a variety of nutritious ingredients and food products for a set price with in-store or curb-side pick-up. Schools offer free breakfast and lunch to students from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Community resources include food banks, farmers markets, and meal programs.

The interactive map will be maintained and updated frequently through the duration of the pandemic.