New partnership with Feeding Florida will ensure more Florida-grown, protein-rich foods are available to food banks, Floridians

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a historic partnership between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Feeding Florida to increase the amount of fresh, protein-rich, Florida products provided to food banks across the state. The partnership increases funding available to Florida food banks — for the first time ever — to source surplus Florida-grown beef, eggs, and dairy products, which have historically been the most challenging and expensive commodities for food banks to source.

“This transformative partnership is a win-win-win for Florida,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “It not only supports our food banks and helps Floridians in need, but it also provides a critical outlet for our farmers and ranchers, ensuring that their high-quality, Florida-grown products reach the tables of those who need them most. By working together, we are strengthening our food banks, supporting our farmers and ranchers, and bolstering Florida’s food security.”

Florida’s agriculture community and Feeding Florida’s network of food banks have a long history of working together to ensure that surplus Florida-grown foods reach those in need. Florida’s agriculture community provides surplus food commodities to food banks through donations, recovery programs, and at significantly less-than-market prices. Building on these partnerships, and in support Florida’s food banks and our farmers and ranchers, this initiative increases the reimbursement rate that Feeding Florida can receive from the state when procuring Florida beef, eggs, and dairy products. Farmers will still offer these commodities at a discount, but the increase in reimbursement more accurately reflects actual costs. This change will make more nutritious foods available to Floridians in need.

Feeding Florida, formerly the Florida Association of Food Banks, is the only statewide network of food banks and works to “provide a healthy, adequate, and consistent food supply to every community every day.” This past fiscal year, the 9 Feeding Florida food banks provided more than 412 million pounds of food to the 2.9 million Floridians facing hunger, including over 800,000 children. More than 51 million pounds distributed through food banks were recovered from Florida farms and ranches statewide.

“Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Legislature understand the connection between the state’s agriculture community and our food bank network’s ability to get their Florida-grown produce and proteins to the families that need it most. It’s an honor for our state leaders to recognize our critical work with Florida’s farmers and ranchers,” said Robin Safley, Feeding Florida CEO. “Nutrient-rich proteins are some of the most difficult products for our food banks to procure, yet they are critical for the health of Florida’s families, especially children.”

This historic partnership was made possible by a $6.5 million appropriation by the Florida Legislature, championed by Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton, during the 2024 regular legislative session. The appropriation supports Feeding Florida’s efforts to source fresh Florida-grown foods and supplements any donated or recovered foods.

“Under the leadership of Commissioner Simpson, Florida has made great strides to bolster Florida’s agriculture industry and strengthen national security,” said Senate President-Designate Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula). “This meaningful partnership between Florida agriculture and Feeding Florida not only furthers this priority, but also directs locally sourced, protein-rich foods to strengthen Florida families in need.”

“Commissioner Simpson has proven time and again the unbreakable link between our agriculture sector and the health and welfare of our state,” said Speaker Designate Daniel Perez (R-Miami). “Thanks to his leadership, Floridians who are suffering in difficult economic circumstances will be able to access much needed relief and quality food. I want to thank everyone involved in making this partnership happen.”

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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Originally published Agust 8, 2024 by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a news release.