Simply Healthcare Plans and Feeding Florida announced the launch of a partnership to increase food access across high-risk Florida communities by leveraging extensive research to target areas of greatest need. Simply donated $100,000 to Feeding Florida, the only statewide food bank network, serving all 67 counties every day of the year. The funds are allocated to three of the network’s food bank-led “Food is Medicine” programs, with a focus on several of Florida’s Medicaid regions, including Bay County, Polk County and Miami-Dade County. Simply will work closely with three of Feeding Florida’s food banks – Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay and Feeding the Gulf Coast.

The winter holidays bring about a season of gratefulness and we at Feeding Florida appreciate every individual who helps us put food on the tables of Floridians year-round. From fundraising and communications to warehouse operations and trucking, every department of the food bank makes a big difference. Meet some of our hunger heroes and learn about how their position helps their food bank and the whole network fight hunger.

This holiday season, Feeding Florida and it’s 12 food banks are working to ensure families get the chance to have their special holiday meals. This season, you can help too. Currently, there are 3.1 million Floridians facing hunger and over 900,000 children in Florida don’t have consistent access to enough nutritious food.

<p>Each of our 12 network member food banks and the individuals that help run them are as one of a kind as the populations they serve. Feeding Florida’s food banks provide food and resources to all 67 Florida counties, making the tasks of running each food bank that much more crucial. That is why during […]

Each of our 12 network member food banks and the individuals that help run them are as one of a kind as the populations they serve. Feeding Florida’s food banks provide food and resources to all 67 Florida counties, making the tasks of running each food bank that much more crucial. That is why during this season of thankfulness, we want to shine a spotlight on our 12-food bank CEOs and thank them for the life-changing work they are doing every day.

We cannot allow this Veterans Day to pass, however, without recognizing the food insecurity that many veterans and active military are facing in our country today. Of the 40 million people the Feeding America network serves, 20% of those households include veterans or active military personnel. This is unacceptable under any circumstance but even more tragic when you consider the sacrifices these veterans and active-duty military have made on our behalf.

Florida’s governor just signed a proclamation highlighting the importance of farmers, food assistance organizations, and families working together to fight hunger across the state, in honor of Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month. We thank the governor for recognizing this critically important cause. Because Florida cannot afford the cost of hunger. It includes financial loss, economic stress and drain on our healthcare system. Especially challenging, however, is the human toll it takes. Hunger makes the things we take for granted impossible. Focusing in school. Holding down a job. Pursuing higher education. Being active. Staying healthy.

Currently, 6.7% of Florida’s senior population are food insecure, which is why seven of our Feeding Florida food banks offer senior feeding programs. Harry Chapin Food Bank established the Care & Share Senior Feeding Program, an application-only program that aims to supplement the diets of a caseload of low-incomes seniors with food that meets their nutritional needs in Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties.

We are proud to announce that Governor DeSantis has signed our proclamation declaring September as Hunger Action Month in Florida, showing appreciation to Florida’s farmers who help us provide for children, seniors, and hardworking families. We are grateful to the Governor for recognizing this critically important cause. Our 12 Feeding Florida food banks, all members of Feeding America, remain committed to our unified mission to end hunger in Florida.

Florida has 3.1 million hungry individuals and each one has a unique background story. Oftentimes, we do not picture an average middle-class family or an elderly individual as prime examples of hunger, but food insecurity is felt by people of all ages and several socioeconomic standing. Hunger wears many faces. At Feeding Florida, we are focused on providing nutritious produce and food to every individual experiencing hunger, regardless of their circumstances. Here are a few stories of the unexpected faces of hunger in Florida.