Funding connects Florida farmers to families in need of fresh food

 

Tallahassee–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). This proposal will be included in Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, the Senate’s balanced budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. 

“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. That’s not something I’m willing to live with. Florida does a lot to help struggling folks back onto their feet and food is a part of that effort. We’re running to this fight to connect hungry families across our state with Florida farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food. This is a much-needed hand-up for families and farmers across our state. As I travel the state, attacking food insecurity unites Floridians like nothing else can. Food matters.” 

“Food insecurity is without a doubt a real problem that some families in our state face,” said President Pro Tempore Brodeur. “This funding will help expand food bank and pantry infrastructure to make fresh, healthy food available to families in need. I can’t think of a more conservative, more compassionate way to help these struggling families. This funding will be a win for Florida families and a win for Florida agriculture.” 

“Florida’s farmers have a deep connection to our state and its people, going back in many cases for generations. Rain or shine, they are responsible for putting food on grocery shelves across the state and are our first and best line of defense against food insecurity,” said Commissioner Simpson. “Expanding our food bank infrastructure will help connect more families across Florida with fresh, healthy, seasonal crops and produce grown right here in the Sunshine State.” 

Food Bank Infrastructure Expansion Grants 
The Senate’s proposed budget funds $12 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to administer a grant program to expand food banks and pantries designed to serve food insecure Floridians who are currently disadvantaged by proximity to services. 

The department will work with Feeding Florida to identify underserved areas, including a focus on rural areas of opportunity, for expansion. The funds may be used to equip new locations, expand distribution routes, purchase transportation equipment, or provide necessary training to onboard pantry staff. 

Food Bank Operational Grants 
The Senate budget proposal includes $38 million in for DACS to administer a competitive grant program to provide fresh food products grown or produced in Florida. 

Grants are restricted to charitable purposes for hunger relief and may not re-enter the wholesale, retail or secondary market. Grant recipients must submit monthly reports to the department that include the amount of food purchased by commodity type, purchase location, purchase date, delivery date, and distribution location. 

Grants may be provided to associations that coordinate and distribute fresh food products to distribution locations around the state. Any association receiving a grant must also provide a quarterly report to the department that includes a breakout of types and varieties of fresh commodities purchased and distributed to families, food purchase receipts, donation receipts, reports of new partners food entities, and community partners. 

For more information, please visit www.FLSenate.gov. 

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Originally published as a press release by the Florida Senate on March 26.