Guest Author
When Hurricane Milton swept through Florida last year, it left a trail of damage and uncertainty. Roads were blocked, power was out, and access to food and clean water became an immediate and dire concern for many families in my district.
In the days following the storm, I worked directly with Farm Share as it prepared and coordinated emergency food and supply deliveries. Even before the roads were fully safe to travel, the Farm Share team was already loading trucks and planning drop sites, ready to deliver essentials the moment it was possible. That kind of preparation doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of experience, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to helping others.
Seeing that response up close gave me an even greater appreciation for the role Farm Share plays in Florida. I had known about the organization’s work as the state’s largest independent food bank, but witnessing it during a crisis made the impact much more real.
What’s just as important is the work it does year-round. Outside of storm season, Farm Share continues to serve families facing food insecurity. It reaches seniors living on fixed incomes, veterans, working parents, children, and others who are doing their best but still come up short as costs continue to rise.
Farm Share’s model works because it’s built on collaboration. The nonprofit partners with local farmers, volunteers, and community organizations to distribute food where it’s needed most. The organization does this work efficiently and compassionately, ensuring that every family is treated with dignity.
Supporting Farm Share means supporting the people of Florida. When the state invests in combating food insecurity, it’s investing in the well-being of our communities. It ensures that help is available during natural disasters and the quieter struggles so many families face every day. Farm Share turned the Legislature’s recent investment into 97 million meals for Florida families, including millions of pounds delivered within just seven days after major hurricanes landed.
I’m proud to support Farm Share and will continue to advocate for the resources it needs to carry out the important work that has served my constituents and millions of Floridians. When we invest in organizations like Farm Share, we invest in all Floridians—in their safety, resilience, and future.
That’s the kind of investment I’ll proudly continue to stand behind.
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Sen. Jim Boyd represents District 20 and serves as Senate Majority Leader.
