The Florida Senate: State Budget Includes $38 Million for Farmers Feeding Florida
$76 million over two years connects Florida farmers to families in need of fresh food
Tallahassee–House Bill (HB) 5001E, Florida’s balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, passed earlier today, includes $38 million in funding to address food insecurity and support Florida farmers, both key priorities of Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula). With $76 million in funding during President Albritton’s term as Senate President, the Farmers Feeding Florida Program supports local growers and producers during times of crisis by facilitating food recovery that benefits Florida families.
“Florida’s farmers, growers, and ranchers produce hundreds of different commodities every year. Fresh from Florida is more than just a slogan – it’s a way of life for those who feed our state and nation,” said President Albritton. “No matter how prosperous our state is, unexpected and unplanned things happen that can cause food insecurity for families. I don’t want any Floridian, especially children, to go to bed hungry every night, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Florida does a lot to help struggling folks get back on their feet, and food is part of that effort. With a $76 million investment over the last two years in fresh agricultural food products, food distribution, and our food bank infrastructure, it’s clear Florida is running to the fight to connect hungry families across our state with Florida farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food. Attacking food insecurity unites Floridians like nothing else can. Food matters.”
“Farmers Feeding Florida is a collaboration between farmers, cooperatives, processors, food banks, and state leadership to make sure good, wholesome food does not go to waste,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, who served as Senate President from 2020-2022. “When school is out, dairy farmers are often left with significant surplus, while many children do not have access to meals at school. This year, through Farmers Feeding Florida, that surplus was recovered and redirected into communities rather than wasted. That’s just one example. In its first year, Farmers Feeding Florida has recovered over 43 million pounds of food to help support our neighbors in need. The diversity of recovered food reflects the strength of Florida agriculture. Continued funding for this important program will help connect more families across Florida with fresh, healthy, seasonal crops and produce grown right here in the Sunshine State.”
“Food insecurity is a serious problem facing some families in our state. The funding in this year’s budget will help expand food supply chains as well as our foodbank and pantry infrastructure to make fresh, healthy food available to families in need,” said President Pro Tempore Brodeur (R-Sanford), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government. “I can’t think of a more conservative, more compassionate way to help struggling families. $76 million over two years is a win for Florida families and a win for Florida agriculture. It’s a recognition that Florida’s agricultural abundance should never go to waste.”
“Providing nutritious, fresh food is often the first step towards stability for families facing crisis, but it also has the power to create healthy habits and change health outcomes, lowering health care costs. We are extremely grateful to state leaders for supporting the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative to deliver the bounty of Florida’s hardworking farmers to families who are struggling,” said Robin Safley, Chief Executive Officer of Feeding Florida. “This partnership doesn’t just provide food, it strengthens local economies, ensures farmers can continue producing, and prevents food waste. Now in its third quarter, the Farmers Feeding Florida program is accelerating its impact, increasing both reach and effectiveness to ensure Florida-grown food supports the state’s economy and reaches families who need it most.”
Farmers Feeding Florida
HB 5001E includes $38 million in continued funding for Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to administer the Farmers Feeding Florida Program. SB 2500 (2025), Florida’s budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, also included $38 million for the initiative.
Through Farmers Feeding Florida, fresh food products grown or produced in Florida that would otherwise go to waste are purchased at discounted rates and distributed to food banks across the state. Farmers Feeding Florida submits monthly reports that include, at a minimum, the amount of food purchased by commodity type, purchase location, purchase date, delivery date, and distribution location. The program also submits quarterly supporting documentation that includes, at a minimum, fresh food product purchase receipts, donation receipts, reports on new partners, and reports on the variety of fresh food products provided.
Year to date, Farmers Feeding Florida has recovered 23.5 million servings of dairy, 85.1 million servings of produce, 11 million servings of peanut butter, 625,732 servings of seafood, 2.75 million servings of beef, and 2.8 million servings of eggs. In total, during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the program recovered over 35 million pounds of fresh, Florida-grown food, equivalent to 126 million servings. Farmers Feeding Florida has expanded the producer network from 41 to 136 producers and processors, a 232% increase.
Originally published by Senate President Albirtton’s Office on May 29, 2026: https://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/President/5_26_Farmers_Feeding_Florida.pdf
