Feeding Florida's network of food banks step up after Hurricane Idalia

Feeding Florida distributes food in Perry after Hurricane Idalia made landfall Aug. 30, 2023.
Feeding Florida distributes food in Perry after Hurricane Idalia made landfall Aug. 30, 2023.

It’s been over a week since Hurricane Idalia ripped through the Big Bend, and the Feeding Florida network of food banks have been non-stop ever since.

Mobilized before Idalia made landfall, 9 food banks across the state immediately began assessing the damage and focused our attention and resources on the hard-hit rural areas, beginning mass distributions of critical resources within hours after impact.

Feeding Florida works collaboratively as a network of food banks that serve and support every county in the state. When the cameras turn off and Idalia is forgotten, food banks will continue to support these families through hurricane relief, recovery, and rebuilding.

Feeding Florida distributes food in Jefferson County and the Big Bend after Hurricane Idalia hit the area on Aug. 30, 2023.
Feeding Florida distributes food in Jefferson County and the Big Bend after Hurricane Idalia hit the area on Aug. 30, 2023.

From Aug. 29-Sept. 5, the network of food banks has distributed:

  • 224,000 meals to those affected by Hurricane Idalia

  • Over 90,000 MREs and 363,000 ½ liter bottles of water

  • 40,000 pounds of fresh produce

Feeding Florida distributes food in Suwannee after Hurricane Idalia in September 2023.
Feeding Florida distributes food in Suwannee after Hurricane Idalia in September 2023.

Feeding Florida's efforts across the state have helped individuals and families in 23 counties, deploying critical resources through 44 mass distributions, agency drops, and site visits.

Learn more at feedingflorida.org.

Feeding Florida distributes food and water in Suwannee and the Big Bend after Hurricane Idalia hit the area Aug. 30, 2023.
Feeding Florida distributes food and water in Suwannee and the Big Bend after Hurricane Idalia hit the area Aug. 30, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Feeding Florida steps up food bank efforts after Hurricane Idalia