Sep 10, 2020
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, on national Hunger Action Day, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried issued a proclamation declaring September as Hunger Action Month in the state of Florida. 3 million Floridians struggle with chronic hunger, an issue exacerbated by economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lack of access to reliable, healthy nutrition can cause poor health outcomes, can hold back our children’s development, and can force people to make difficult decisions between food and other necessary expenses, like healthcare,” said Commissioner Fried. “On Hunger Action Day, our department is as committed as ever to filling the hunger gap for 3 million Floridians. By proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month, we’re asking everyone to take action and help their fellow Floridians facing food insecurity, one meal at a time.”
Across the country, communities mark September 10 as national Hunger Action Day and September as Hunger Action Month. In Florida, Commissioner Fried has made addressing food insecurity one of her administration’s top priorities. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is the state agency that administers Florida’s school lunch program through $1.3 billion in federal funding, helping serve 286,734,316 school lunches to 2,908,335 students in the 2018-19 school year. To increase participation in school meals, Commissioner Fried launched the Florida School Breakfast Challenge during 2019’s Hunger Action Month.
Click to view Fried’s Hunger Action Month video
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FDACS and Commissioner Fried moved swiftly to feed Florida’s children during sudden school closures, quickly approving over 3,700 feeding locations that served over 59 million meals from March through June, and activating the 2-1-1 phone and text line where Floridians could find free meals for kids. FDACS also helps feed Floridians in need through The Emergency Food Assistance Program, recently launched a $100,000 Walmart Foundation grant project to fight food insecurity in rural Florida communities, supported legislation for a $500,000 grant to enhance food recovery from farms to food banks, and helps distribute food to low-income seniors.
With food banks facing record demand, FDACS asks Floridians to donate to or safely volunteer with their local food bank, if they are able. Fried’s Hunger Action Month proclamation reads as follows:
**PROCLAMATION**
WHEREAS, September is Hunger Action Month, an initiative created to increase awareness about the issue of hunger in the United States and in local communities; and
WHEREAS, with 3 million Floridians struggling with food insecurity, 850,000 of which are children, and with Florida fourth in the nation for family hunger, it is critical we take action to break the cycle of hunger and poverty and address its root causes; and
WHEREAS, a lack of access to healthy food can cause health complications, damage a child’s ability to grow and learn, and force people to choose between paying for food and other necessary expenses, such as healthcare; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is committed to increasing access to nutrition for all Floridians through the administration of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); and
WHEREAS, during COVID-19, over 11 percent of Florida households reported struggling with food insecurity, FDACS expresses its appreciation for the 3,775 schools, food banks, faith-based and community-based organizations, staff and volunteers that provided 59,247,081 meals to children through the SFSP from March through June 2020; and
WHEREAS, the food insecurity rate in Florida is projected to rise as high as 19 percent in 2020 due to pandemic-related economic issues, FDACS remains steadfast in its efforts and partnerships to reduce hunger and improve the health and wellbeing of all Florida residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nicole Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Florida, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2020 as
NATIONAL HUNGER ACTION MONTH
in the State of Florida and encourage all Florida residents to join the fight against chronic hunger by volunteering, donating, and raising awareness for organizations dedicated to improving food access in our state.
