Feeding Florida | Florida's Food Bank Network

Feeding Florida News

Back to All News

Press Release: Feeding Florida Network Prepares Hunger Relief Efforts as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall

Press Release: Feeding Florida Network Prepares Hunger Relief Efforts as Hurricane Ian Makes Landfall

Network of statewide food banks poised and ready to provide emergency relief, staging MREs and water in partnership with the State of Florida

 

[Tallahassee, Fla.] – The Feeding Florida network of food banks is prepared to provide statewide relief to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian. In partnership with the Department of Emergency Management’s ESF6 mass feeding team, Feeding Florida and its 12-member food banks have proven they can quicky mobilize to ensure communities are prepared and provided for. 

“We believe our response and recovery efforts are critical to helping impacted Floridians during times of need, including disasters,” said Robin Safley, Executive Director of Feeding Florida. “Our partnership with the Division of Emergency Management, our federal partner agencies, and our network of 12 Feeding America food banks will work toward ensuring that no Floridian is left without aid.”

Feeding Florida is the state’s largest hunger relief organization and the only food bank network with an active presence, providing ongoing community-based food distribution in all 67 counties of Florida. Their efforts are critical during times of crisis and natural disaster.

Feeding Florida’s year-round efforts to plan natural disaster response and recovery efforts includes staged water and MREs in strategic locations statewide, regular briefings with state Emergency Management teams and food bank emergency personnel, and pre-planned re-allocation of our own assets to allow food banks statewide to react immediately and assist Floridians in affected areas. 

With Hurricane Ian anticipated to make landfall later this week, Feeding Florida reminds individuals they should visit www.FloridaDisaster.org to make a plan and identify local emergency services. 

“We are constantly assessing community needs and organizing our assets so we can offer assistance and basic supplies such as food, water, hygiene and paper products to those who might be affected,” said Safley. “Whether there are grey skies or blue skies, the Feeding Florida network is prepared to provide aid and make sure the needs of all Floridians are met.”

To learn more about the Feeding Florida food banks and the network’s disaster response efforts, please visit https://www.feedingflorida.org/taking-action/disaster-response

# # #


About Feeding Florida
Feeding Florida is the state’s leading organization in the fight to end hunger. The statewide network unites 12-member food banks to provide a healthy, adequate, and consistent food supply to every community every day. Feeding Florida member food banks support the state’s 67 counites with more than 2,400 local charitable agencies, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need to ensure a hunger-free Florida. Feeding Florida’s member food banks include: All Faiths Food Bank, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Bread of the Mighty, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, First Step Food Bank, Florida Gateway Food Bank, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.

Most Recent News:

Hurricane season is here — let’s take charge!

As Floridians, we’ve faced storms before, and we know the power of being ready. Now’s the time to take action, not just prepare. As Florida enters the 2025 Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, it's crucial for everyone to take proactive steps to safeguard their homes and loved ones. Here are smart, simple tips from our partners at the Division of Emergency Management to help you get your family storm-ready with confidence.

Read Full News Post

Florida Politics: Budget addresses food insecurity and helps rural Florida to support Ben Albritton’s agenda

The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget tackles food insecurity in rural Florida and helps farmers, which are key priorities for Senate President Ben Albritton. “No matter how prosperous our state is, unexpected and unplanned things happen that can cause food insecurity for families. I don’t want any Floridian, especially children, to go to bed hungry every night, not knowing where their next meal will come from,” Albritton said in a statement.

Read Full News Post

Miami Herald: A federal program sent local farmers’ fresh produce to food banks. It’s being cut

Robin Safley, the CEO of Feeding South Florida’s umbrella organization, Feeding Florida, emphasized the economic importance of guaranteeing access to healthy, fresh food. Those served by her organization’s affiliate food banks disproportionately deal with chronic health issues, including diabetes, said Safley. “Many of them are also on Medicaid,” she noted, “so those chronic conditions can really drive up the cost of health care.” Healthy eating plays a critical role in mitigating those costs, she added. 

Read Full News Post