Feeding South Florida distributes food in Aventura

Aventura might be known as the home of one of the area’s most swank malls, but a food distribution event for those in need was welcomed Thursday morning with a steady flow of cars.

Feeding South Florida teamed up with Sen. Jason Pizzo of Miami, the Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, Aventura Cares, and Aventura Vice Mayor Rachel Saltzman Friedland to distribute 21,000 pounds of food to families, starting at 9 a.m.

“We are so grateful to have Feeding South Florida back in Aventura to help ensure that families in our community have access to nutritious meals,” Friedland said. “Thank you to Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center and Sen. Jason Pizzo for helping to make this happen.”

Although the flow of cars was steady Thursday, the scene was markedly different from the last food distribution at the Jewish center during the height of the lockdown and the pandemic, said city spokesperson Evan Ross.

The food was gone after being distributed to those cars lined up before the gates were opened for the event last year. Still, needs in the community remain, Ross said.

“A lot of people see Aventura and see only the wealthier parts of the city, but there are people in Aventura who need this kind of help,” Ross said.

Feeding South Florida, which has its main warehouse in Pembroke Park, reported seeing a 600% increase in the demand for hunger relief distribution as the lockdown took effect to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this year, the organization sought a hearing appealing the state Department of Agriculture & Consumer Service’s decision to award a food distribution contract to its rival, Farm Share. The appeal was denied.

Losing Emergency Food Assistance Program aid from the federal government did cut down on the organization’s ability to distribute food from one of the most verdant agricultural areas in the country, said Jodi Davidson, a consultant for Feeding South Florida. But donations are making it possible to continue having distribution events like Thursday’s, Davidson said.

“We have phenomenal relationships …,” Davidson said. “We’re out there every single day.”