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From Field to Families: Our Farmers from Children’s Day

From Field to Families: Our Farmers from Children’s Day

Each year, Feeding Florida's tabling at the Children’s Day event at the Florida Capitol shines a spotlight on the vital role Florida’s farmers and ranchers play in feeding our communities. This yearly event serves as a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit behind our Farmers Feeding Florida program, which connects Florida-grown food with families in need—many with school-aged children.

The farmers who partnered with Feeding Florida for this year’s event represent the hundreds of Florida farmers and ranchers who make up the Farmers Feeding Florida program. We are grateful to have this program that for more than 10 years has helped offset a portion of the producer's cost so they can provide food to Florida's families in need.

This year, we are proud to feature the work of three dedicated partners: M&B Products, Noble Citrus, and L&M Farms. These growers and producers worked closely with our team to provide children and adults visiting the Capitol with a beautiful example of the quality and kind of produce our food banks serve every day. 

Noble Citrus:

The citrus and blueberries enjoyed on Children’s Day were generously donated by Noble Citrus, a fourth-generation family-owned company out of Winter Haven. Known for premium varieties like the Juicy Crunch tangerine, Noble is committed to sustainable farming and hand-harvesting practices that prioritize quality and flavor.

Our Nutrition Education team even featured Noble's Florida-grown blueberries in a fresh salad recipe that was a big hit with the kids and families. We’re deeply grateful to the Roe family for their continued generosity and partnership.

M&B Products: 

M&B Products provided the milk served at this year’s event. The family-owned company based in Temple Terrace doesn’t just deliver milk, M&B process and packages dairy products from dozens of Florida farms, helping us supply fresh, nutritious milk to families across the state. With a cutting-edge facility processing over 35,000 gallons daily, M&B is a leader in sustainability and innovation, from waterbed-comforted cows to their “Mr. J” branded offerings.

M&B’s Andrea McClellan said, “Children's Day at the Florida Capitol is an amazing event focusing on empowering our next generation and to be included, in just a small way, was such an honor.  Cool Cow by M&B Products was more than happy to support the event by filling the children's bellies with Fresh from Florida Milk.  What a great thing it is to be able to take our blessings and continue to invest them in the future by way of supporting Florida’s youth.  We thank everyone who made this event possible and for those that allowed us the opportunity to support!”

For Feeding Florida, milk is more than just a beverage—it’s foundational. In the first 1,000 days of life, nutrients from milk are proven to be essential for brain development and long-term health. We’re proud to work with M&B to ensure the children our food banks serve have access to this critical source of nutrition.

L&M Farms: 

From vibrant bell peppers and celery to crisp squash and cucumbers, L&M Farms of East Palatka continues to provide our Children’s Day farmers market with a diverse mix of high-quality vegetables. Managing over 7,000 acres and working with local family farms, L&M brings a farm-to-table model that emphasizes variety, freshness, and seasonal availability.

As a long-standing and trusted partner for our food banks, L&M knows it’s crucial to offer a colorful, nutrient-rich selection of vegetables year-round to the families we serve. Their consistency and care help us meet the growing needs of Florida families.

 

At Feeding Florida, we believe that providing children with healthy, nutritious food means building strong partnerships with the people who grow our food. The dedication of M&B Products, Noble Citrus, and L&M Farm, along with so many others in our Farmers Feeding Florida network, makes this work possible. 

We thank our growers not just for their crops, but for their compassion. Together, we’re ensuring every child has the nourishment they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
 

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