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Local Food Systems in Florida: Consumer Characteristics and Economic Impacts

Consumption of local foods has developed rapidly over the past 10 years in response to concerns about food safety and quality; however, consumer behavior for purchasing local foods has not been widely studied. In a 2012 survey of 7,500 Florida households, a majority of respondents deined “local” foods as originating within a radius of 100 miles of home or within the state of Florida, while a minority deined it as within my county, city, or town. A majority of respondents purchased local foods at retail grocery stores or farmers’ markets. The total value of all foods purchased annually through local market channels in Florida was estimated at $8.314 billion, averaging $1,114 per household, or 20.1% of total food purchases for at-home consumption. Fruits and vegetables were the most commonly purchased types of local foods. These values are much higher than has been reported previously in the literature, and suggest that local food systems in Florida are better developed than most other areas of the United States. The total economic impacts of local food purchases in Florida, including indirect multiplier effects calculated with a regional economic model, were estimated at 183,625 jobs and $10.47 billion in GDP.

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Planting the Seeds to Success

Last month, Feeding Florida’s Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) hosted their first Seeds to Success event. The virtual event offered the opportunity for attendees to connect with Florida farmers, farmers markets, and community partners, as well as organizations who are working to bring local food to individuals and families in Florida.

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How Nutrition Education is Tackling Food Waste

Did you know that learning about food can help you eat healthier and save money, and also reduce waste? Feeding Florida's nine network food banks are making this possible through their SNAP-Education Program, the Florida Nutrition Education Program. Read on for some of the valuable food waste prevention methods our SNAP-Ed classes are teaching in communities across the state.

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Partners in Produce: Noble Citrus is Feeding Florida

Noble Citrus and Feeding Florida have worked together for years, providing excess tangerines, a vitamin-rich, nutritious fruit, to the food insecure families our food banks serve. Our partnership has grown into the ability to plan product loads, becoming part of the production that ensures this healthy food will reach the tables of those who need it most. We chatted with Adam about this long-standing relationship, asked him to help us explain the Famers Feeding Florida program from a grower’s perspective, and detailed why supplying product to the charitable network means so much to Noble Citrus and the Roe family. 

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