WFSU: Florida Senate President Ben Albritton’s opening day of session remarks

As I begin my last session as Senate President, I’m renewing my personal focus on a rural renaissance in the state of Florida.

With your support, we made great progress last year with the passage of the Senate’s Make Citrus Great Again and Farmers Feeding Florida initiatives.

Florida citrus is making a comeback, one tree at a time. The current balanced budget included $100 million for large scale field trials that combine grove management, therapeutic tools, and disease resistant varieties for new plantings and rehabilitation of existing groves.

Citrus has been a pillar of our state since the 1500’s and remains a key part of Florida’s Rural Renaissance. Research and new technologies offered renewed hope for the future of citrus in Florida. I’m keeping my foot on the gas — Florida citrus is not going down on my watch.

Across rural Florida, our farm families have deep connections to our state and its people. In partnership with Commissioner (Wilton) Simpson, our Farmers Feeding Florida initiative is connecting hungry families with farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food — a much-needed hand-up for families when it matters most.

Linking Florida farmers in rural areas with our urban food bank distribution channels and expanding our food bank and pantry infrastructure statewide enhances rural economies by preventing food waste and supporting farm families who are producing important commodities.

In just the first quarter of operations, the Farmers Feeding Florida program has recovered over 4.6 million pounds of fresh, Florida-grown food and distributed 3.8 million to families across the state.

I’m so grateful to the hardworking staff of the Department of Agriculture and Feeding Florida for making this program a huge success.

Attacking food insecurity unites Floridians, across the political spectrum, like nothing else can.

Everyone I have spoken to about the program supports making sure children in Florida don’t go to bed hungry. It’s uniting, it’s powerful, it’s the right thing to do … it is a Biblical calling and a clear and present expression of love as an action. Love for Florida children, love for struggling Florida families, and love for the global brand of what Florida holds true.

 – Senate President Ben Albritton