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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Blogging at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Fighting hunger. Feeding hope.

Food for the Future, even in the Pandemic

October 22, 2021 by Kelly Quintero Leave a Comment

What if we could feed the hungry, help veterans, homeless families and low-income adults find skilled work, fill a critical gap in the local economy, and save taxpayer dollars — all at the same time?

That’s the question facing the Florida Legislature this year, as our legislators decide whether to grant funding to Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program, through SB 1065, sponsored by state Sen. Jason Brodeur and state Rep. Kamia Brown. By providing tuition-free education in food preparation and safety, the program helps at-risk adults find skilled work and a path to self-sufficiency.

For students like Rachelle, who graduated from the program in 2019, it’s a life-changing opportunity.

Unable to cover rising rent, Rachelle and her family sought help at a homeless shelter. She heard about the Culinary Training Program and knew it would mean a brighter, more stable future for her children. After 16 weeks of intensive training, Rachelle earned her certification and was hired at an assisted living community.

“I don’t want to be a burden,” she said. “I don’t want to rely on government programs like SNAP or pray that overtime is always available.”

She’s not alone. To date, 385 students have graduated from the Culinary Training Program, and 60 more enroll each year. Roughly 10% of the program’s students are veterans, one third are homeless, and many, like Rachelle, are parents caring for children. Every student is placed in a living-wage position after graduation.

And it’s not only the students who benefit — just ask Florida’s employers.

“Finding the right people,” said John Rivers, CEO of 4 Rivers Smokehouse. “That’s the number one problem facing us today.”

As the hospitality industry booms in Central Florida — with tourism, visitor traffic and new restaurant openings at an all-time high — growth in food service jobs outpaces the availability of certified workers.

“Right now, hospitality employers are paying more to recruit and train unskilled employees, and it’s all compounded by turnover,” Rivers said. “Second Harvest’s students have the skills we need, and they’re eager to work. That’s huge.”

Not all benefits are quantifiable, added Rivers: “Companies need meaning and purpose in their community, or they won’t last. You don’t achieve that just by donating or showing up at functions — you have to create jobs that improve lives.”

Taxpayers stand to profit, too. By lifting families out of poverty, the Culinary Training Program reduces government spending on food assistance, emergency shelters and other humanitarian services. By filling essential positions, it boosts growth in one of Florida’s largest industries and increases tax revenue. Put together, that generates a 308% return on investment for Central Florida.

If SB 1065 is passed, the Culinary Training Program’s funding will increase by $500,000, helping Second Harvest meet the demands of a growing hospitality industry through the training of economically disadvantaged adults in our community, and enhance their skills through the addition of a baking track. Private donors will match the request cent-for-cent. You can show your support by signing up for our advocacy email list to stay up to date on any future actions at feedhopenow.org.

The Culinary Training Program is a win for everyone: taxpayers, industry leaders, community members and families in need. That’s not something we see every day — and it’s up to us to make sure it succeeds.


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Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Culinary Training Program, food services, hospitality, house, Jason Brodeur, Kamia Brown, legislative, Senate

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Inspiring and engaging Central Florida to end hunger.
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The @floridafuturefarmer packed more than 80,000 p The @floridafuturefarmer packed more than 80,000 pounds of Fresh Florida produce this week for its annual service project! 👏400 members of the FFA joined Feeding Florida and Second Harvest team members to pack enough carrots and potatoes for 66,000 meals at the Caribe Royal. The project was sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union. 🥕🥔Thank you for taking action to support neighbors facing hunger! 🧡➡️Ways you can help at the link in bio.
Sometimes enticing kids (and adults) to eat more v Sometimes enticing kids (and adults) to eat more vegetables takes some creativity and a preparation shift! 🥕🥦Learn how Maureen Hawkins, Director of Health and Hunger Strategies at the food bank, prepares sweet potatoes that her kids find fun and delicious. 🍠#EatYourVegetablesDay
“This is only the beginning of what’s to come, “This is only the beginning of what’s to come,” said Melody, a Culinary Training Program graduate. 🎉On June 7, Second Harvest recognized 17 Culinary Training Program students during a graduation ceremony. Food bank staff, family, friends, and employers joined the celebration to recognize each student’s achievements. 🎓➡️Read more at the link in bio.
Second Harvest stands beside all the dads, stepdad Second Harvest stands beside all the dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers, guardians, caretakers and all other father figures in the Central Florida community! 🧡Happy Father's Day! 🎉feedhopenow.org 🍏
Nothing brings people together like good food! 🍽️📣Only FOUR WEEKS until the region's premier culinary event: @tastecfl!Your support helps provide more meals to more children facing hunger.➡️Tickets & event details: tastecfl.org
Food is medicine, and Volusia County residents can Food is medicine, and Volusia County residents can get a produce prescription. 🍏The food bank's Mobile Farmers Market initiative, in conjunction with the @florida.health in Volusia County, increases access to fresh produce for adults with hypertension. 🚐Residents who receive a referral shop for $36 worth of fresh produce each week when the specially outfitted refrigerated vehicle visits one of three Department of Health locations in Daytona Beach or Orange City, as pictured.➡️Read more at the link in bio.#communityhealthimprovementweek #foodismedicine
For 12 weeks this spring, kids and families at thr For 12 weeks this spring, kids and families at three @elcoc_ sites received 300 boxes of fresh produce as part of Project VEGGIE (Vegetable Eating Gets Going with Increased Exposure), a research partnership underway with @uflorida.The boxes contained 2,850 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies, like sweet potatoes, carrots, Granny Smith and Red Delicious apples, oranges, strawberries, kale, corn, broccoli, cucumber, blueberries, cauliflower and tomatoes.Getting kids to eat vegetables can be challenging, but this collaborative effort looks at how the impact of increased exposure may influence new eating patterns, improving health, and ultimately the well-being of our community.We can't wait to share results this fall! #CHIWeek
Community Health Improvement Week is a great time Community Health Improvement Week is a great time to bring awareness to the many ways improving community health and fighting hunger go hand in hand. 🍏Increasing access to nutritious foods not only fights hunger but also improves health outcomes for people facing food insecurity.Certified Nutritious Pantries are the food bank's feeding partners that implement practices including offering fresh produce, nutrition education classes, healthy recipe ideas, and more. Recently, several more partners have completed this milestone.➡️More about the Nutritious Pantry Network at the link in bio.
10 seconds of hope, because of you. Every day, 300 10 seconds of hope, because of you. Every day, 300,00 meals are distributed across Central Florida. Keep fighting hunger at FeedHopeNow.org. #food #foodbank #fooddistribution #secondharvest #feedhope #feedingamerica
"If can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hu "If can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger." 🚀This is a great opportunity to showcase your love for Second Harvest and passion for fighting childhood hunger this summer. 📣While these T-shirts are primarily about spreading awareness about food insecurity and fostering community spirit, they also serve as a conversation starter about the impact of the food bank and its supporters! 👕➡️Get yours today at the link in bio.
With your support, Second Harvest bridges the gap With your support, Second Harvest bridges the gap for kids and families all summer long. 🌞By driving semi-trucks packed with food to church parking lots, stocking local food pantry shelves and delivering kid-friendly meals to summer camps, libraries and community centers, kids like Tobias have the food they need to just be kids. 🚐“I love the food I get here,” Tobias says with a bright smile. His favorite part of lunch is fruit. “We get apples or oranges or bananas. I like it all.” 🍏Community support from donors, volunteers, and local feeding partners helps to brighten summer days with meals and hope. Thank you. 🧡➡️Read more about your impact on kids facing hunger this summer at the link in bio.
Sometimes fighting hunger means meeting people whe Sometimes fighting hunger means meeting people where they are, bringing food to their doors. 🍏Sharing Hope, one of the food bank's partners, gets food to the people who need it in an unconventional way, no drive-through distribution or dedicated food pantry. Instead, volunteers spend every Friday preparing meals, packing bags of groceries and heading out on the road to deliver food to neighbors. 🚐➡️Read more about how this group fights hunger on the road at the link in bio.
Culinary Training Program Picture Day! Toward th Culinary Training Program Picture Day! Toward the end of the program, students have the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken. They can use these photos in their future culinary careers. Learn more about the Culinary Training Program at the #linkinbio. #pictureday #headshot #culinary #culinaryschool #feedhopenow
Grateful for @hiclubvacations this #ThankfulThursd Grateful for @hiclubvacations this #ThankfulThursday! 🎉🧡They donated a pallet-wrapper, an absolute essential at the food bank's distribution center. Team members from Holiday Inn Club Vacations recently volunteered at the food banks and got to see their donation in action.➡️More ways to help fight hunger at the link in bio.
✨It's exciting to be nominated for Best Local Ch ✨It's exciting to be nominated for Best Local Charitable Group in the Best of Orlando poll and to be in such good company with impact-driven organizations —thank you, @orlandoweekly readers!!! 🎉➡️Vote at the link in bio, and thank you for all your continued support to fight hunger and feed hope in Central Florida. 🧡
Ensuring your family has a hunger-free and hope-fi Ensuring your family has a hunger-free and hope-filled summer! 🌞From free meals for kids 18 and younger at Summer Break Spots, to more than 870 feeding partners across Central Florida, to help with SNAP benefits, here are ways to find help with food security this summer.🍏 Food Finder🍏 Summer Break Spot🍏 Benefits Connection➡️More about how to help and find help this summer at the link in bio.
Things are getting better for Amy because of you. Things are getting better for Amy because of you. 🧡She stepped away from her career as a professional chef to stay at home and raise her son. When her boyfriend lost his job, Amy sought ways to stretch their budget without compromising nutrition. She discovered a food pantry supported by Second Harvest. 🍏“It’s those little things that help us get the day by, get the month by,” Amy says.➡️Read more about Amy's gratitude for food bank supporters at the link in bio.
As schools and cafeterias close for the summer, ma As schools and cafeterias close for the summer, many children and families, who rely on school-provided meals for critical nutrition, are left facing a summer of worry and hunger.By taking action, you can help fill the gap of nutritious meals to children and families, ensuring a hunger-free summer. 🧡Ways to Help:🍏Donate.🍏Volunteer.🍏Start a Food and Fund Drive.feedhopenow.org➡️Read more about fighting summer hunger at the link in bio.
Groups of all kinds and sizes volunteer at the foo Groups of all kinds and sizes volunteer at the food bank! 🍏The Orlando 'Canes, the local chapter of the @umiami_alumni, showed up in force to help at our main distribution center. 🧡💚Gather your co-workers, club members or neighbors and come fight hunger at Second Harvest!📣➡️Sign up to volunteer at the link in bio.
Once enrolled in the Culinary Training Program, Ca Once enrolled in the Culinary Training Program, Carmen began to flourish. She adapted quickly to the rhythm of the kitchen, steadily gaining confidence and self-assurance. 🍽️“Now I’m cooking from scratch,” Carmen explained with pride.Over 16 weeks, the program teaches students like Carmen the essential skills for a new career in food service. 🍝Carmen has transformed from a program participant to a culinary professional. She is leveraging the skills and support she gained from the program to carve a successful career at a local theme park. 🧡➡️Read more about Carmen's life transformation at the link in bio.
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Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 500 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes enough food for a quarter of a million meals every day to the six-county service area. Feeding our neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and transforming lives. With the support of our Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit FeedHopeNow.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 59-2142315 Email: info@feedhopenow.org

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