Community Spotlight: Forum at Renaissance on 9th Fights Hunger

BRADENTON – 1 in 6 Americans are ‘food Insecure’, meaning they do not know where their next meal is coming from. For the state of Florida that has a vast amount of agriculture products this statistic is difficult to believe. Mosaic, Meals on Wheels, Mighty 4H of Duette, Desoto FFA, Hardee FFA and Palmetto High FFA worked together with the Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam to assist in the situation. Palmetto High FFA initiated a fight against Hunger two year ago by partnering up with the New Hope Food Bank.

The Hunger Relief Forum that took place at the Renaissance on 9th in Bradenton allowed the different FFA and 4H clubs to work together packaging over 4,500 pounds of sweet potatoes. Other events that took place at the forum was Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam shared information forecasting agriculture with in the state of Florida, along with a panel of experts sharing how we can better feed the residents of our state.

“Getting to serve the community with other agriculture based clubs and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, was very exciting. I am thankful for Mosaic allowing us this incredible opportunity,” stated Jackie Berkey. The Hunger-Relief Forum was presented by Mosaic and sponsors were All Children’s Hospital, Publix, Feeding America, and WUSF.

Left to right: Ryan Mcree, Caleb Summeralls, Cathy Jo Cole, Aubrey Rife, Tori Quinn, Jerry Miller, Jackie Berkey, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in front Dannie Glassburn