USDA Foods Disaster Planning
Thursday, August 21 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET
Members: Free
Non-Members: $25
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Join ACDA for a timely webinar focused on disaster planning from multiple perspectives. A focus on using USDA Foods in schools for congregate feeding, state agency response to disasters to ensure adequate food and water are available, conducting disaster household distributions, and the importance of disaster preparedness and plan implementation at all levels.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will receive a comprehensive overview of how USDA Foods can be utilized during a disaster, along with first accounts from disaster survivors responsible for preparedness and plan implementation. Available resources and critical partnerships will be also be discussed.
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Meet the Speakers:
Walter Beal
Division Director
North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Food Distribution
Walter Beal, Division Director Walter has been with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Food Distribution since March 2012 and holds a certification as a Certified Public Manager. Walter was a Licensed General Contractor for over 18 years, he served in his local Lions Club as Club President, Zone Chair and Region Chair and he is in his 27th year as Clerk of Session at his church. He is also a member of ACDA, NCSFPA, and SNA.
Gilbert Escobedo
Inventory Manager
Houston Food Bank
Gilbert Escobedo is the Inventory Manager with the Houston Food Bank and has been with the organization for over 12 years. Gilbert received a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. Gilbert has experience with logistics planning, reporting, and responding to natural disasters including Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Robert Markowski
Director of Operations
K12 Food Solutions
Robert Markowski is the Director of Operations at K12 Food Solutions, a leading brokerage specializing in food procurement for K–12 institutions. He brings over two decades of expertise in food service operations, procurement, and emergency response logistics.
Prior to joining K12 Food Solutions, Robert spent 13 years with Pinellas County Schools in Florida, including eight years as Procurement Coordinator. In this role, he managed large-scale food distribution systems and played a critical part in emergency preparedness—overseeing the coordination and delivery of meals to shelters serving up to 84,000 evacuees during major storm events.
