Cacee Hilliard
Director of Agriculture Relations
Work - Farmers Feeding Florida
About Farmers Feeding Florida
Combatting Hunger with Florida's Farmers and Ranchers
Florida’s agriculture industry is one of our state’s greatest assets. As Feeding Florida works to help the millions of Floridians that struggle to afford nutritious food consistently, farmers and ranchers play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission.
The Farmers Feeding Florida program connects our statewide network of food banks to local growers and producers to ensure fresh, Florida produce, proteins, and dairy find a home and reaches the families who need them most. By aligning agricultural abundance with community need, the program strengthens both food access and Florida food security. Commodities currently sourced through the program include fresh produce, dairy, beef, peanut butter, eggs, and aquaculture products.
This product-recovery initiative brings together farmers, ranchers, and packers across the state with a shared purpose — ensuring that quality, safe, nutritious food never goes to waste when families need it most. Throughout the years, this initiative has been able to offset a portion of production costs to enable our partnering farmers and growers to scale up donations, turning surplus harvests into hope and nourishment for communities across Florida.
Sourcing from Florida Farmers and Ranchers
Farmers Feeding Florida leads with a farmer-forward and farmer-focused approach. By partnering with the state’s largest network of food banks, more Florida farmers, ranchers, and processors have been able to sustain their operations and businesses.
The agriculture industry has been integrally involved in growing our program over the years, helping to develop the pricing models needed to expand the commodities we can recover. We value our industry partners who have lent their expertise and support to ensure Feeding Florida is directly supporting the farmer, rancher, and processor:
- Florida Ag Coalition
- Florida Agritourism Association
- Florida Aquaculture Association
- Florida Cattlemen’s Association
- Florida Citrus Mutual
- Florida Dairy Farmers
- Florida Farm Bureau Federation
- Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
- Florida Peanut Federation
- Florida Peanut Producers Association
- Florida Watermelon Association
- United Dairy Farmers of Florida
Making The Connection
Feeding Florida strives for exemplary service to farmer and rancher partners. We can arrange to have donations picked up in a timely manner, freeing up valuable cooler and dock space at your facility. Our member food bank employees are trained and certified in proper food handling to ensure the quality of produce and product donations. Farmers Feeding Florida is endorsed by Florida’s major commodity groups and is supported by the Florida Department of Agriculture, the Florida Legislature and grants from private foundations.
Learn more about our primary recovery commodities and how to get started:
For more information or to discuss your donation:
