%20(White%20Circle).png)
Farm Share’s
35th Anniversary
35 Years Reducing Hunger.
In 1991, Patricia Robbins saw a problem: good food was going to waste while Florida families went hungry. So she did something about it. With a small group of volunteers and a shared commitment to helping neighbors, Farm Share began rescuing surplus food and connecting it with communities in need.
Our
Mission
To ensure Florida families have access to fresh, nutritious food by rescuing what would otherwise go to waste and delivering it with dignity to those who need it most.
Our
Vision
A Florida where no one goes hungry, food waste is eliminated, and every community has access to healthy food.
There was no roadmap. Just farmers willing to share their harvest, volunteers willing to show up, and a Homestead community that believed a small idea could grow into something bigger.
And it did. Today, Farm Share delivers millions of pounds of food and supports families across Florida from Pensacola to Key West.
The mission hasn't changed: no one should go hungry while good food goes to waste.
Watch Our 35th Anniversary Story
For 35 years, thousands of people have played a role in building Farm Share.
Through this special anniversary video, hear the stories of the people who helped transform a small volunteer effort into a statewide hunger relief movement.
Featuring Patricia Robbins, Farm Share’s founder, who shares the vision that started this mission; Stephen Shelley, CEO, along with community leaders, farmers, and food donors whose generosity makes food rescue possible; partner agencies that help bring food where it is needed most; Farm Share staff members who carry this work forward every day; and the neighbors we serve, whose stories of hope and gratitude remind us why this mission matters. This collection of stories celebrates the many people who have helped shape Farm Share’s journey over the past 35 years.
35 Years Of Memories
From hand-loading trucks in the early days to statewide distributions today, these photos tell the story one moment at a time. Take a look back with us.
Our Distribution Infrastructure:
These 1992 clippings are the earliest coverage of a small effort taking root in Homestead. Thirty-five years later, those first steps still shape the work we do today.
1991
A Vision Is Born
Founded in Homestead, Florida, Farm Share began when Patricia Robbins saw fresh produce being discarded while families faced hunger. She partnered with farmers and the community to rescue surplus food and deliver it to those in need.
2011
Expansion to North Florida
A new warehouse opened in Quincy, extending Farm Share’s reach and impact into North Florida communities.
2017
Large-Scale Disaster Response
While Farm Share has long served as a first responder during emergencies, Hurricane Irma marked the organization’s first large-scale disaster response.
1991
First Storage Facility Opens
Farm Share opened its first storage facility in Florida City, creating the infrastructure needed to rescue fresh produce from farmers and distribute it at no cost to individuals and families in need.
2006
Homestead Headquarters Established
As operations expanded, Farm Share opened its headquarters in Homestead, strengthening its ability to serve communities across South Florida and beyond.
2015
Jacksonville Facility Opens
The opening of the Jacksonville warehouse further positioned Farm Share as a statewide hunger-relief leader.
2020
Voices of Impact
"Testimonials provide a sense of what it's like to work with you, or what it's like to use your products and services."
Robert Rose, Product Designer
Thank You for Being Part of This Journey
To our founder, who believed this was possible before anyone else did. To the volunteers who gave their time. To the farmers who chose to share instead of waste. To our partner agencies, staff, board, and donors who kept this moving. To the neighbors who trusted us; thank you for being part of this story too.
This anniversary isn't Farm Share's alone. It belongs to everyone who showed up for it.
Help Write the Next 35 Years
For 35 years, people across Florida have come together to make sure neighbors have access to the food they need.One of the most powerful ways to celebrate 35 years of impact is by becoming part of the movement that will carry this mission forward.
To commemorate Farm Share’s 35th birthday, we are setting an ambitious goal: raise $350,000 to help distribute nearly 2.5 million meals to neighbors facing hunger across Florida.But we cannot do it alone.
Can you help us make it possible?
Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Farm Share is a not-for-profit organization, classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Federal Tax ID Number is 65-0342192. Contributions may be deductible to the extent permitted by applicable laws. Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for details.
FARM SHARE’S FLORIDA SOLICITATION REGISTRATION # IS CH4353. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THE WEBSITE https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Consumer-Services. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.