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Why Is Feeding Florida Different?

Why Is Feeding Florida Different?

The Feeding Florida network is unlike any other hunger organization in the state. With 12 network member food banks and over 2,400 partner agencies, we are the only network that serves all 67 Florida counties year-round. Our unique partnerships, facilities, resources, and solutions help us combat food insecurity in a way that helps shorten the line and provide long-term health and wellness to our food bank families. 

 

Meal Deficit Metric 

Feeding Florida enlisted Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group to conduct research that pinpoints hunger at a hyperlocal level. Pre-existing research only allowed us to look at hunger stats based on zip code, leading to missing meals. Now, Feeding Florida can help target hunger needs more effectively by breaking up counties and zip codes into smaller block groups, and identifying the specific needs of residents there. This allows our network to better understand the needs of hungry Floridians across all 67 counties.

 

Healthcare Partners 

Food is pivotal to nutrition and health, which is why we partner with several organizations that connect our food bank recipients with healthcare access and resources they might not have otherwise. Thanks to our healthcare partners, we are able to fund our FoodRx programs and Mobile Farmacy, bringing health and wellness to the communities we serve. 

 

Workforce Development 

We believe that hunger is a symptom of an under resourced household, which is why our food banks offer workforce training opportunities. Access to food is essential for wellbeing, but the financial security that comes with employment helps keep our food banks families on their feet long-term. Our food banks’ workforce development programs, like culinary training kitchens and truck driving certification programs, offer Floridians job security and a chance to learn a new skill. 

 

Fresh Access Bucks 

Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) is a USDA-funded statewide nutrition incentive program that increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, produce stands, CSAs, mobile markets, and community grocery outlets.  FAB’s approach to addressing food access, affordability, and nutrition education aims to work with the entire food system: from producer to consumer to build healthy, resilient communities supported by robust local food systems. By offering our Feeding Florida families Fresh Access Bucks, we are increasing their food access while also encouraging them with to make healthy choices for their families, thus instilling confidence. 

 

Farmers Feeding Florida 

33% of all food we distribute is fresh fruits and vegetables. This is partially thanks to our partnerships with local farmers and growers who are part of our Farmers Feeding Florida program. This produce recovery initiative works in partnership with farmers and packers throughout the state to rescue and distribute wholesome and cosmetically blemished produce that can help to ease this burden. The initiative offsets out-of-pocket costs for packing materials to enable them to scale up donations to multiple truckload quantities.  

 

Innovative Solutions 

Our mission is to feed hungry Floridians across all 67 counties, which means our network must have the bandwidth and tools necessary to reach everyone, not just those who visit our food banks. Thanks to our innovative solutions like mobile pantries, corner markets, and meal delivery programs, we can put food on the tables of individuals everywhere, even those who lack access to transportation. 

Most Recent News:

Commodity Chronicles: Peanuts

From Farm Fields to Food Bank -- Peanuts are more than just a tasty snack or a key ingredient in peanut butter sandwiches—they’re also an important crop for Florida farmers and a vital food for families across our state. Recently, we sat down with Gregg Grimsley, President of Peanut Proud, to learn about how peanuts are grown in Florida, why they matter, and how peanut butter helps food banks keep families fed.

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WFLA: Florida food program aims to fill gap following federal cuts

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, along with state Senate President Ben Albritton, visited Feeding Tampa Bay to announce the Farmers Feeding Florida program. “We have food insecurity all over this state,” Simpson said. State lawmakers and the governor approved $38 million in the recent state budget for the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative. $28 million is meant to buy excess crops and milk from Florida farms, which food banks will distribute. $10 million is to expand food banks and pantries, especially in rural areas.

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wuwf: Florida boosts funding for farm-to-food bank partnership

Florida is investing in a program that will help local farmers and hungry families. This year, lawmakers allocated $38 million toward Farmers Feeding Florida, a new statewide initiative to expand an existing food purchase program between local growers and food banks.

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