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.

In celebration of our work during Hunger Action Month, we want to highlight the various programs we have in place to address hunger and build stronger, healthier communities. From mobile food pantries to nutrition education, these initiatives are designed to provide immediate relief, long-term solutions, and a sustainable future for Floridians.

In the wake of Hurricane Debby’s sideswipe of Leon County this week, the Harry Chapin Food Bank in southwest Florida has stepped up to assist locally with disaster relief efforts. The Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in its area, is partners with Second Harvest of the Big Bend. It responded to a call from the Feeding Florida Network by sending driver Jose Soto-Cruz to the capital.