In Session Magazine: Farmers Feeding Florida
Farmers Feeding Florida: A Model of Leadership and Innovation
By Janelle Irwin
January 2026
As lawmakers prepare for the 2026 Legislative Session, Florida’s agricultural community is pointing to one shining example of smart, effective governance: the Farmers Feeding Florida program, championed by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson and Senate President Ben Albritton. This initiative exemplifies how practical, results-oriented policy can strengthen Florida’s food security, support local farmers, and get critical resources to those who need it most.
At its core, Farmers Feeding Florida connects the state’s growers and producers directly with the statewide network of food banks. Through this partnership, farmers provide commodities at a greatly discounted rate, ensuring families can access healthy Florida-grown food.
“Farmers Feeding Florida is a practical, effective, and efficient initiative,” explained Commissioner Simpson. “We link up Florida Farmers to families who need nutritious, quality food, helping Florida farmers withstand natural market shifts. When farmers can farm, we protect our domestic food supply. Food security is national security.”
The program works. Earlier this year, when a milk processing plant unexpectedly shut down, milk tankers in Florida milk were stranded and their dairy haul was at risk of being dumped. Within an hour, the Farmers Feeding Florida team coordinated with Southeast Milk Cooperative and M&B Products to reroute and process the milk in Hillsborough County—saving 300,000 servings from being wasted. Every drop was recovered and distributed to Florida families in need.
This success story reflects how the program’s rapid-response coordination turns potential crises into community solutions. And as schools prepare to close for the holidays, the network is already positioned to recover 119 tankers of surplus milk post-Thanksgiving.
“Linking Florida farmers in rural areas with our urban food bank distribution channels and expanding our food bank and food pantry infrastructure statewide enhances rural economies by preventing food waste and supporting farm families who are producing important commodities,” said Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula). “Connecting hungry families with farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food is a much-needed hand-up for Floridians when it matters most.”
“Our network has spent more than a decade building the relationships, infrastructure, and trust needed for this opportunity,” said Robin Safley, Feeding Florida’s CEO. “Farmers Feeding Florida is the culmination of years of hard work by people across agriculture, hunger relief, and state leadership.”
Since its implementation, Farmers Feeding Florida has recovered more than 300 million pounds of produce, and the recent investment by the Legislature will expand that recovery effort to beef, dairy, peanut butter, seafood, and eggs. The recent addition also expanded its producer network by 60%, including more Florida farmers, food producers, and processors.
“The growth in producer partners underscores the strength and diversity of Florida’s agricultural sector,” added the Commissioner. “We’re positioning Florida to survive even with supply chain disruptions. A great example is how this initiative is working with struggling processors and local ranchers to recover Florida beef.”
As the Legislature convenes in 2026, Simpson and Albritton will work to put the program fully into law to ensure we continue investing in Florida’s farmers and ranchers. With their visionary leadership, Farmers Feeding Florida demonstrates that good policy can do more than feed people—it can fortify communities, sustain local economies, and safeguard Florida’s future.
Originally published January 2026 by In Session: A Florida Politics Publication, Page 17
