Farm Share, non-profit food-bank, for recovery and distribution of surplus food for hungry people

PARTNERS


Senator Al Lawson	Rep. Juan Zapata

Senator Al Lawson and Represenative Juan Zapata are sponsoring our budget request this year in the Florida Legislature. Both are known for their integrity and their concern for the welfare of the people of the State of Florida. By recognizing the importance of programs like Farm Share, they are making sure that our state is prepared for both natural disasters and economic downturns. Please let them know how much you appreciate their support of Farm Share. Just click their pictures for contact information.

Since its inception Farm Share has developed many partnerships with both public and private entities. Former Agriculture Commissioner Bob Crawford recognized the uniqueness of the Farm Share approach toward hunger issues in 1992. Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has been a supporter of Farm Share since becoming a Florida Senator and continues his ardent support of the program as the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Department provides facilities on three State Farmers Markets as well as equipment and management assistance. FDACS has been a key ingredient in the tremendous success of Farm Share's food recovery program.

Commissioner Bronson

Yet another partnership of great value is with the Florida Department of Corrections which provides labor to Farm Share in the form of inmate work squads. Two correctional officers and up to twenty-four minimum security inmates help sort, box and distribute food collected by volunteers and Farm Share staff. Florida Secretary of Corrections, Walter A. McNeil, has been very supportive of the public works aspect of the relationship between Farm Share and the FDOC. Prisoners selected to work with the food recovery program are those who will be released soon. Allowing them to work outside the prison prior to release makes their re-entry into society a smoother transition for the prison inmate and for the general public. Without inmate labor provided by the FDOC the task of feeding needy Americans would have been impossible for Farm Share to accomplish.

Secretary McNeil

Thousands of less fortunate people depend on Farm Share to provide them with nutritious food and Farm Share would not be able to regularly provide this service, free of charge, without our supporters. Therefore Farm Share greatly appreciates the assistance and services provided by our admirable supporters, who without their help will have Farm Share with nothing to share.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe A. Martinez has been instrumental in facilitating the funding Farm Share receives from the County. He has even gone as far as donating a transit bus to our organization that will be utilized as a community outreach vehicle. The partnership has been going on strong for four years, the latest successful event being the commissioner’s 4th Annual Easter Festival and Food distribution where Farm Share provided food for 2,000 people. Farm Share is proud to have a Commissioner Joe A. Martinez as a strong supporter and great partner.

Farm Share is also fortunate to have strong relationships with Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez, State Representative Marco Rubio, and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. Together we helped fight hunger by feeding thousands of hungry people.

Farm Share is also proud to continue a partnership with the Florida Marlins. Both organizations teamed up for a successful Thanksgiving event on Nov. 17th, 2006 where Farm Share and the Florida Marlins gave out food to close to 200 families from Florida City Elementary. Farm Share is also looking forward to being a part of the Spanish radio show “Cafecito con los Marlins” aired on WQBA 1140 AM every Friday home game dates, throughout the season, along with spreading word of our services through the team’s monthly Community Booth at Dolphin Stadium.

marlins
Farm Share receives a generous donation from the Florida Marlins

Farm Share has worked very hard to establish corporate support and increase community based giving so that more efficient services can be rendered by our organization. In its infancy, our corporate sponsorship campaign has already generated support from companies such as Publix Supermarkets Food For All program whose funding has been used towards the operating costs of our 53,000 square foot packinghouse Wal-Mart whose funding made this website possible Royal Caribbean who sponsored Farm Share's Nutrition Education Program and the Sun-Sentinel whose funding has enabled Farm Share to expand its Broward operation.


Each year Farm Share receives a contribution from Publix Supermarkets' annual "Food for All" Campaign organized by the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger (FICAH). The most recent contribution was received on March 20th, 2007.

Support is also received from many other companies, organizations and foundations such as the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger (FICAH), Florida Legislators, Dade Community Foundation, Kennedy Foundation, Ocean Spray, Ruth Anderson Foundation, American Commodities Distribution Association (ACDA), Florida Farm Bureau, McArthur Dairy, Frito Lay, Florida Student Leadership Forum, Florida Association for Community Action (FACA) WPBT Channel 2 Miami, IPTV Iowa Public Television and many others.