Across the country, food banks are struggling to meet rising demand as the Trump Administration cancels $1 billion in food programs and Congress considers giving states responsibility for programs like food stamps. The changes come as anti-hunger advocates fear food insecurity in Florida is back on the rise. That $1 billion in cuts comes roughly equally from two USDA programs: the Local Food Purchase Assistance program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

Florida’s food banks could be set to feast on additional funding courtesy of the Senate’s proposed budget. Senate appropriators are offering $38 million to set up a grant program for charities that produce fresh food products in Florida. Another $12 million would fund grants to expand the state’s food banks.

The Florida Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government, chaired by President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford), today released its proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The Committee’s proposed budget includes critical funding to address food insecurity and support Florida farmers, both key priorities of Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula).

Fresh Access Bucks (FAB), a program of Feeding Florida, recently added 10 new grocery partners with locations that primarily serve rural Florida communities. The Florida Legislature funded Feeding Florida’s $1 million appropriations request for this program expansion focused on connecting customers at Florida’s rural grocers with access to more fresh fruits and vegetables, where affordable, local produce is often difficult to access.

With the 2025 legislative session fast approaching, Feeding Florida hopes lawmakers will help the organization expand a key partnership to provide more healthy food. Feeding Florida’s CEO, Robin Safley, says the association of nine member food banks hopes for more legislative support for its current partnership with growers.

This Thanksgiving, Feeding Florida, the state’s network of nine food banks serving all 67 counties, pauses to express heartfelt gratitude for the donors, partners, and communities who made this year’s hurricane relief efforts possible. In a season marked by multiple storms – Debby, Helene, and Milton – the Feeding Florida network rose to the challenge, delivering hope, fuel, and connection to families in need.

1 in 5 Florida children are food insecure. Our food banks are not just fighting hunger, they are finding solutions so children and their families are able to access healthy, nutritious food when they need to. Through enhanced School Pantries, we can provide resources where children and their families frequent every day. We can take the stigma out of food pantries and give support to young families who need it most.

While Florida was hit hard by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26, state leaders in both emergency management and food resources are reaching out to help other states that are suffering from the impacts of the monster storm. Feeding Florida, a network of food banks throughout the Sunshine State, along with the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) have mobilized to begin delivering food, water and other supplies to nearby states.

The Feeding Florida network of food banks is prepared to provide statewide relief to Floridians impacted by Hurricane Helene. In partnership with the Division of Emergency Management’s ESF-6 mass feeding team, Feeding Florida and its 9-member food banks have proven they can quickly mobilize to ensure affected communities are provided for.

Feeding Florida set out on a mission to expand our program to include Florida proteins, understanding Florida’s cattle ranchers have the resources and knowledge to make a difference for the 2.3 million Floridians facing hunger.