TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Food insecurity has been growing since the Covid-19 pandemic. The Florida affiliate counts nearly 700,000 people in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota regions where affordable, nutritious foods are not available. These were the latest figures available since 2023.
This year, the Trump administration ordered the USDA to help reduce federal spending by cutting programs that help Food Banks buy locally grown food from farmers. Now, Florida is announcing funding for similar statewide programs to close the gap.
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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, along with Senate Speaker Ben Albritton, visited Tampa Bay feeding to announce the farmers feeding Florida’s program.
“We’re food insecurity across this state,” Simpson said.
State lawmakers and governors have approved $38 million in the recent state budget for farmers feeding Florida initiatives. The $28 million is intended to buy excess crops and milk from a Florida farm, and is distributed by the Food Bank. $10 million is expanding food banks and pantry, especially in rural areas.
The commissioner says the program is already helping to avoid wasting 170,000 gallons of milk since July 1st.
“We employ farmers who produce as good food as food they can buy anywhere. We package it and give it to food insecurity,” Simpson said.
Senator Albritton originally wanted nearly $50 million overall for the effort. However, after budget negotiations, we were able to pass a lower amount. But Albritton said there is more going on to help those in need.
“Does the state see how programs like this can offset some of these costs of these federal cuts? The answer is yes,” Albritton said.
As this is taxpayer money, the commissioner said there are steps to ensure that these dollars are tracked and spent correctly.
“The load we’re taking in, the processing of some of that food, and bringing it out to these families. It’s a very transparent process that you can probably visit our website and follow the dots,” Simpson said.
Feeding Tampa Bay said it is beginning to find additional places to help people get food for those in need. A spokesperson said the organization will add its nutrition mind school pantry program and its target areas that require better access to healthy foods. The recently completed USDA program also affected the school’s pantry program.
