Area nonprofit food bank brings fresh produce to those in need through additional distribution events
Jacksonville, Fla. –– March 12, 2024 –– Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is participating in National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign designed to bring attention and public awareness to the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Thanks to a generous grant by the USDA, FNEFL is honoring the effort by launching a series of nutrition-focused food distribution events throughout the campaign.
The grant has allowed the organization to expand its partnership with local growers and producers, providing fresh, Florida-grown produce and meat to those in need in our community. FNEFL will also be distributing healthy shelf-stable items such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta. The distributions in honor of National Nutrition Month will take place in addition to the more than 150 monthly standing distributions, and will continue through April.
The initiative kicks off with two distributions in Duval County this month. Each distribution will be equipped to serve 500 families and individuals in need, and will feature cooking demonstrations with produce available at each event, tastings and recipes by Feeding Northeast Florida’s robust Nutrition team. The distribution sites and dates are:
- JaxPAL, located at 3450 Monument Road, on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Englewood High School, located at 4412 Barnes Road South, on March 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The need for food access in our community remains very high. We want to ensure people are getting healthy, nutritious goods when they come to our distributions,” said Susan King, President & CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. “Highlighting healthy choices along with education during National Nutrition Month and beyond helps lay a foundation for better health as we continue to fill the gap for those in our community who find themselves in need.”
More than 260,000 individuals suffer from some level of food insecurity across the 12 counties FNEFL serves –– that’s one in ten adults and one in seven children who struggle with hunger in our community. Oftentimes, those struggling with food insecurity do not have adequate access to all necessary food groups to promote a balanced diet, leading to a cycle of health issues that can impact generations of families. FNEFL steps in to fill the nutritional gaps for those in need in the community, and will continue to do so as long as there is a need.
Additional distribution sites and dates will be announced in the coming weeks . In an effort to serve as many families and individuals as possible, FNEFL is looking for volunteers for the upcoming distribution events. Individuals or organizations that are interested in volunteering can visit feedingnefl.org.
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About Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL)
Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL) is the region’s largest nonprofit (501c3) food bank and hunger relief network. FNEFL provides nutritious foods and other essential goods to those in need and strives to improve the quality of life for people living in and around Northeast and North Central Florida by addressing food insecurity, poverty and poor health. Alongside our network of food distribution, agency and community partners, the Food Bank provides food resources and hope to help all people living in our 12-county service area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union) who struggle to feed themselves and their families. Feeding Northeast Florida works daily to find solutions to address the issues of food insecurity and poverty through awareness, advocacy, education, and action in ways that promote dignity, respect and empowerment. For more information, visit feedingnefl.org.