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More Than Food: Empowering Florida Families to Eat Well and Thrive

We know that offering access to healthy, nutritious food is only half the battle in fighting hunger. To help Florida’s families thrive and live more healthy lives, they need to understand what they’re eating, how to make the best choices, and how to incorporate healthier eating into their every day. 

This is where our programs unite. Across Florida, grocers that offer Fresh Access Bucks are doing more than increasing acPreview Changes (opens in a new tab)cess to fresh produce. They are also bringing in our Florida Nutrition Education program to make sure neighbors are making the best use of healthy products. 

For the past two years, Greens & Goodness in rural Citrus County has become a vibrant hub for the community, offering fresh local produce, meat and dairy, home goods, and more. Through the Fresh Access Bucks network, nutrition educators partnered with market owner Katie Rankin to build something deeper than a retail experience—creating a space that supports long-term community wellness and connection.

That vision is grounded in practicality. Each week, the market offers its Terrific Tuesday Box–a low-cost bundle of fresh, in-season produce designed to simplify shopping. But even the most thoughtfully curated box can present a challenge if it includes ingredients someone hasn’t used before. Without guidance, those items can feel intimidating, and too often, they may go unused.

To meet that need, the Florida Nutrition Ed team introduced simple, approachable flyers in every box. 

“Each box offers clear nutrition information, safe storage tips to extend freshness, preparation guidance, and a recipe designed to be both accessible and appealing,” explained Cassidy Solito, Statewide PSE Coordinator for Florida Nutrition Education.  “Our goal isn’t just to inform, it’s to remove guesswork and make cooking feel manageable, even for someone trying something new for the first time.”

The response has been immediate. Customers are beginning to anticipate the recipes each week, and interest in the boxes continues to grow. At the same time, the process has added a new layer of creativity for the market team, turning each week’s selection into an opportunity to inspire meals at home.

This kind of effort reflects a broader approach across the FAB network. Nutrition education is woven into the shopping experience in ways that feel natural and useful, whether through recipe cards, cooking demonstrations, taste tests, or seasonal highlights in newsletters. These touchpoints give shoppers a chance to explore new foods in a low-pressure way, building familiarity before they ever step into their kitchens.

This all exemplifies how access is only one part of the equation. Understanding how to store produce properly can extend its life by days. Knowing how to prepare a vegetable in a simple, flavorful way can turn uncertainty into a go-to meal. Learning to cook what’s in season not only enhances taste, but helps families make the most of their food budgets and reduce waste.

“FAB partners who go above and beyond to integrate nutrition education into their model significantly broaden their reach by helping customers better understand the benefits of fresh, healthy foods,” said Carly Todd, Fresh Access Bucks Regional & Nutrition Education Coordinator. “It’s always inspiring to see the creative ways our partners engage their communities, making healthy eating more accessible and approachable through practical tips, recipes, and hands-on experiences.”

By pairing fresh food with practical knowledge, Feeding Florida and its partners are helping turn access into impact, ensuring that the food people bring home doesn’t just fill a need in the moment, but becomes part of a sustainable, healthy routine for the future.

Produce Highlight: Blueberries

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