Fresh Food, Veteran Freedom, and Farmer Relief
Farmers and growers across the Southeast are hearing big updates from their Agriculture Commissioners this week.
In Georgia, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced that eight regional food banks will share $825,000 through the Farm to Food Bank Program. The initiative buys “unmarketable” but healthy produce from Georgia farmers and delivers it to families in need. More than 14 million pounds of fresh food reach Georgians facing food insecurity each year, with support from the state legislature.
In Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is inviting wounded veterans to apply for Operation Outdoor Freedom. Run by the Florida Forest Service, these free hunting and fishing trips take place on state forests, agricultural lands, and private lands across the state—helping veterans heal and reconnect with the outdoors.
And in Alabama, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate announced USDA has designated 25 counties as disaster areas due to heavy rainfall this spring, with 14 more counties listed as contiguous. Pate said, “The excessive rain during this year’s planting season impacted over half of Alabama’s counties… We encourage them to reach out to their local USDA offices to explore available funding and support.”
