According to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, around one in six kids in the region face hunger. To combat this, Second Harvest has teamed up with local school districts to offer free meals right on campus.
Take Gunner, a fourth grader at College Park Elementary in Marion County. He enjoys art and has a zest for learning. Having moved back to Ocala from Pennsylvania, Gunner’s family finds it challenging to make ends meet. His mother, Jennifer, explains they are a single-income household with three kids, making it tough to decide between paying bills or buying groceries.
“The rising prices make it hard,” Jennifer shares. “Sometimes, we wonder if we should pay for food or for our utilities. The food we get here helps a lot.”
Nearly 90 schools across seven counties in Central Florida now provide free, healthy food to students and their families. Jennifer appreciates the stigma-free environment that encourages Gunner to collect food without feeling embarrassed. “He usually brings home a bag each week, which helps us get by,” she says.
The food is distributed differently at each school. Some have portable stations for both students and parents, while others use discreet bags handled by teachers. Briana Rebello from Second Harvest mentions that they have a waitlist of 58 schools. “School partnerships are all about making food accessible for families who are already there every day,” she points out.
Launched in 2017, the program has seen increased demand, especially as inflation rises. Many families now also face tight restrictions from proposed changes to federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), making access to food even tougher.
In Marion County, a significant 22% of children experience hunger daily, according to Second Harvest’s Map the Meal Gap Report. The need for assistance is increasingly recognized, not just in K-12 schools, but also in higher education. The Knights Pantry at the University of Central Florida, run entirely by students, has witnessed a steady rise in demand over the past years.
Jeannie Kiriwas, the director of the pantry, states, “I’ve seen more students seeking help, especially since 2022.” Rising living costs in Central Florida are part of the reason. “Rent here is high, and students often deal with expenses that scholarships don’t cover, like transportation,” she explains.
Cruz Diaz, principal of Rosemont Elementary in Orange County, highlights how vital this food program is for supporting families. Initially, some students were hesitant to accept food due to stigma, but now they freely ask for help. “It’s crucial to provide support to families who are working hard but still face challenges,” he says.
The situation is mirrored across the country. A recent USDA report indicates that food insecurity is on the rise in Florida and 27 other states. From 2022 to 2024, 3% more households in Florida reported facing food insecurity compared to previous years.
As school food programs grow in importance, maintaining connections with community organizations like Second Harvest becomes essential. They provide critical support, and contributions from the public can help meet this escalating need.
For more information on food insecurity statistics, you can check the USDA’s report for additional insights.
