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One farmers market idea became a billion-pound lifeline South Florida can’t lose | Miami Herald OP-ED
By Stephen Shelley, Farm Share CEO
Thirty-five years ago, a simple idea took root at a farmers market in Homestead—one grounded in a belief that still defines Farm Share today: no nutritious food should go to waste while families go hungry.
Farm Share founder Patricia Robbins recognized a powerful opportunity. Florida's agricultural community was producing an abundance of fresh, nutritious food, while too many families across our state struggled to put healthy meals on the table. She believed those two problems could be solved together - and Farm Share was born.
As we celebrate our 35th anniversary this year, I find myself reflecting on what has made Farm Share successful from the very beginning: the generosity and strength of Florida’s agricultural community. Florida is one of the nation’s leading agricultural states, and for 35 years, farmers, growers, producers and agricultural partners across Florida have worked alongside Farm Share because they believe nutritious food belongs on family tables. That shared commitment has transformed countless lives and strengthened communities in every corner of our state.
What began as a simple but groundbreaking idea in 1991 has grown into Florida’s largest independent food bank, with regional distribution hubs and partners spanning Miami-Dade, Gadsden, Duvall, Putnam, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Orange, Lee, Levy and Broward Counties. Today, Farm Share serves communities from Pensacola to the Key West through our network of nearly 2,000 partner agencies and distributes more than 100 million pounds of food annually—the equivalent of more than 80 million meals each year. Since our founding, we’ve delivered more than one billion pounds of food across Florida, proving that a solution born in one farming community can create lifesaving impacts across an entire state.
Over the past three and a half decades, Florida has changed dramatically. Our population has surged. Natural disasters have become more frequent. Inflation has stretched family budgets and more working families than ever before find themselves making impossible choices between paying rent, purchasing medication, or putting food on the table. This has led to an increased need for Farm Share’s services and Farm Share has responded by expanding its programming and further strengthening its partnership with agricultural producers and community leaders. This includes becoming one of Florida’s core disaster relief and first responder organizations.
Following recent major Hurricanes Ian, Helene, Odalia and Milton, Farm Share distributed on average more than 7 million pounds of food and emergency supplies to help families and communities recover within the first 14 days to affected communities. Many times, we were on scene within the first 24-48 hours providing life saving supplies to fill the gap until long term recovery organization could establish operations.
These moments of crises remind us that in times of uncertainty, the strength of a statewide network—and the generosity of those who support it—can make all the difference.
None of this happens alone.
Farm Share’s success belongs to Florida’s agricultural community, whose partnership has been the cornerstone of our mission for 35 years. It belongs to the volunteers who generously give their time, the businesses and organizations that invest in our mission, the community partners who help us reach neighbors in need and Farm Share’s dedicated staff whose personal sacrifices and mission driven efforts directly feed millions. Together, we’ve shown that when people unite around a common purpose, we can strengthen communities while making the most of Florida’s incredible agricultural resources.
Thirty-five years later, food rescue continues to be one of the smartest, cost-effective and sustainable ways to ensure healthy, nutritious food reaches the people who need it most while eliminating unnecessary waste. I am grateful to be a part of this great organization and to continue expanding on the legacy left by its founder. But just like her, I can’t do it alone. I need continued community support.
To become part of Farm Share’s legacy you can volunteer, become a partner agency, make a donation or join our team. Visit farmshare.org/35years to see how you can help Farm Share celebrate our legacy and help shape its future.
Together we can continue to support Florida agriculture, eliminate food waste and feed hungry Floridians for years to come.
Stephen Shelley is the Chief Executive Officer at Farm Share.
