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Could proposed state Senate funding for food banks soften blow from federal cuts?

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floridaphoenix.com – Jackie Llanos – 2025-03-28 14:16:00

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
March 28, 2025

Before the legislative session, Senate President Ben Albritton said tackling hunger would be one of his priorities. That is reflected in the $50 million slated for food bank grants in the Senate’s budget proposal unveiled this week.

While budget negotiations are just ramping up, the additional funding from the Senate could help food banks weather the loss of millions in federal funds they used to buy fresh produce.

Florida received $46.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, created in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act and later expanded by the Biden administration, according to a USDA database.

However, the Trump administration canceled the program earlier this month, meaning food banks won’t receive grants to purchase produce from farms they expected to get in the fall.

Federal cuts squeeze already-struggling food banks, school lunch programs

What’s more, food bank directors learned this week of a funding freeze for federal food shipments through the USDA.

“It’s a big blow to our food bank network,” said Robin Safley, executive director of Feeding Florida, a network of nine food banks. “We have not seen a decline in demand. In fact, we’re probably seeing that inch up with some of the layoffs, as well. So it definitely is putting a huge and critical burden on our food banks.”

While Albritton teased the grant programs in the budget proposal before the session started, Safley says those funds are even more necessary in light of the federal funding cuts.

The Senate proposal includes two grant programs through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: $12 million to expand the infrastructure of food banks in rural communities, and another $38 million to help food banks buy products from Florida farmers.

“We’re running to this fight to connect hungry families across our state with Florida farmers who produce fresh, wholesome food,” Albritton wrote in a press release on Wednesday. “This is a much-needed hand-up for families and farmers across our state. As I travel the state, attacking food insecurity unites Floridians like nothing else can. Food matters.”

Feeding Florida would work with the agriculture department to identify which rural areas and underserved communities would get the funds for the infrastructure program.

“The cuts that are coming from the federal government are pretty severe, as well,” Safley said. “I guess it does soften the blow, because it’s money that we wouldn’t have had. Obviously, it has a long way to go in the Legislature.”

However, the House agriculture budget proposal doesn’t include either program, and House Speaker Daniel Perez is pushing for a $5 billion sales tax cut.

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Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

How stocks, bonds and other markets have fared so in 2025

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www.news4jax.com – Wyatte Grantham-Philips And Damian J. Troise, Associated Press – 2025-04-21 14:00:00

SUMMARY: Global financial markets are experiencing significant turmoil in 2025 due to President Trump’s escalating trade war. The S&P 500 has fallen 13%, with the Nasdaq dropping 19%, while overseas markets outperform. Treasury yields are rising amid concerns over inflation and a potential recession, while gold prices reach record highs. The U.S. dollar has dropped 9%, reflecting anxiety over tariffs and economic uncertainty. Oil prices are down due to fears of an economic slowdown, while Bitcoin remains volatile, fluctuating between $75,000 and $109,000. Experts warn that Trump’s tariffs could lead to a recession, impacting global trade and energy markets.

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South Florida Weather for Monday 4/21/2025 12PM

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South Florida Weather for Monday 4/21/2025 12PM

www.youtube.com – CBS Miami – 2025-04-21 11:35:03

SUMMARY: South Florida weather for Monday, April 21, 2025, will be mild with warm afternoons and clear skies. There is a high risk of rip currents at the beaches, so caution is advised. Temperatures are already in the 80s in some areas, with breezy conditions along the coast. Winds will be sustained at 10-16 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph in the Keys. While it remains mostly dry this week, moisture will increase by the weekend, potentially bringing showers. Highs will stay in the low 80s, with mild mornings around 70°F.

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NEXT Weather meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez says the afternoon will remain warm and breezy, with highs in the low to mid 80s. There’s a high risk of rip currents along our beaches due to the gusty winds.

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Supreme Court temporarily blocks new deportations under wartime law

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www.clickorlando.com – Associated Press – 2025-04-21 07:41:00

SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the deportation of Venezuelans at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas under an 18th-century law, directing the Trump administration not to proceed until further notice. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, with Alito criticizing the court’s quick decision without adequate explanation. The order followed an emergency appeal from the ACLU, which argued that deportations were set to resume. Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for the firing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over reports of unauthorized use of Signal messaging for sharing sensitive military information regarding operations in Yemen.

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