Need food? Jacksonville, Gainesville food banks merge to help more food-insecure

Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union
·5 min read
A woman gathers food at a mobile market of the Jacksonville-based Feeding Northeast Florida food bank.
A woman gathers food at a mobile market of the Jacksonville-based Feeding Northeast Florida food bank.

Two nonprofit food banks in Jacksonville and Gainesville have merged, creating a regional operation that serves 265,000 people across North Florida.

Jacksonville-based Feeding Northeast Florida, the region's largest food bank, was established in 2014 and distributes food to the needy in eight counties. The 35-year-old Bread of the Mighty in Gainesville helps ease food insecurity in five counties.

As of May 1, the smaller food bank became a branch of the larger one.

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What prompted the merger?

The merger is part of a realignment project begun in 2022 by Feeding America, which leads a nationwide network that includes both area food banks. The goal was "to strategically realign resources and support services across North and Central Florida," according to the Jacksonville food bank.

"Our mission has been to alleviate hunger and build stronger, more resilient communities," said Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. "With this merger, together, we will reach more individuals and families in need, strengthen our distribution network and advocate for lasting solutions to address the root causes of hunger."

What are the benefits?

The realignment allows Feeding Northeast Florida to "combine the power" of its 325 or so partners, including area food pantries, with the 170 or so partners of Bread of the Mighty. The merger also "leverages the strength of the Feeding America network, operations and funding, bringing even more assets to those who need it throughout this extended service area," according to the agency.

The result is more efficient storage and transportation and streamlined logistics, distribution and partnerships for the whole operation. As a branch of a newly enhanced Feeding Northeast Florida, the Gainesville food bank "will remain a strong community resource and will be better positioned to sustain and exceed the services it has provided," the organizations said.

Staff of the Bread of the Mighty food bank in Gainesville pose for a joint photo at a food distribution event. The food bank recently merged with Jacksonville-based Feeding Northeast Florida.
Staff of the Bread of the Mighty food bank in Gainesville pose for a joint photo at a food distribution event. The food bank recently merged with Jacksonville-based Feeding Northeast Florida.

Previously the Gainesville food bank was a "Partner Distributing Agency" under Second Harvest of Central Florida in Orlando, which did not allow "full access" to Feeding America programs, said Sherah English, director of partnerships and programs at Bread of the Mighty. The merger allows the Gainesville staff to join Feeding Northeast Florida as an official Feeding America location.

"Merging the food banks will allow us to enhance our resources and capabilities in ways we could never reach as a smaller food bank," English said. "This will help us increase our outreach, advocacy efforts and effectiveness as a team. The merger will allow us greater access … to training and funds that will increase our ability to face changing needs in the community."

Margot DeConna is executive director of Food4Kids, a volunteer-run Gainesville nonprofit that identifies and provides chronically hungry children with regular food and other resources. The organization is a Bread of the Mighty partner.

"They do tremendous work in our community and regionally to help feed our hungry neighbors," she said. "We are excited for the entire Bread of the Mighty team and expect that this merger will only positively affect their impact in our community. We do expect the Jacksonville food bank’s support will be advantageous in a number of ways."

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How does the merger affect the food banks' service areas?

Three of the five counties formerly served by Bread of the Mighty — Alachua, Gilchrist and Levy — have joined the Feeding Northeast Florida region. Also joining the Jacksonville service area was Union County, which was previously supported by Florida Gateway Food Bank.

Volunteers from Tyson, Bimbo Bakery and Walmart sort donated food at a Feeding Northeast Florida warehouse.
Volunteers from Tyson, Bimbo Bakery and Walmart sort donated food at a Feeding Northeast Florida warehouse.

Other counties previously served by Bread of the Mighty — Dixie and Lafayette — are now managed by Second Harvest of the Big Bend.

So the new service map for Feeding Northeast Florida is Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Union counties.

Why do we need food banks?

At least 265,000 people in Feeding Northeast Florida's new 12-county service area suffer from some level of food insecurity. That means one in nine adults and one in seven children have a consistent lack of access to enough food.

"Hunger and food insecurity mean different things," according to Feeding America. "Hunger is the feeling someone has when they don't have food. Food insecurity is the consistent lack of food to have a healthy life because of your economic situation. Feeding America is working to end hunger by addressing food insecurity."

The causes of food insecurity are poverty, unemployment or low income; lack of affordable housing; chronic health conditions or lack of access to health care; and systemic racism and racial discrimination, according to the national nonprofit.

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What do food banks do?

Food banks collect, sort, store and distribute donated food to partners such as food pantries, churches and homeless shelters. Those organizations then distribute the food directly to the hungry in their communities.

Feeding Northeast Florida distributes almost 32 million pounds of food a year.

Vegetables and fruit are among the food donated to the Feeding Northeast Florida food bank, which recently merged with Bread of the Mighty in Gainesville.
Vegetables and fruit are among the food donated to the Feeding Northeast Florida food bank, which recently merged with Bread of the Mighty in Gainesville.

Demand increased at food banks across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained high because of subsequent inflation and rent and other cost increases. But the two food banks "remain resolute that hunger is a solvable problem with resources that already exist," according to the merged agencies.

They "serve individuals and families … in need with dignity, access to quality food and resources, education and benefit services and advocacy for food and hunger relief," and help ease their financial burdens.

How do I get food? How do I donate or volunteer?

To find food distribution locations and events in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties, or to donate or volunteer to support feeding programs in those counties, call (904) 513-1333 or go to feedingnefl.org. To get help or to donate or volunteer in Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties, call (352) 336-0839 or go to breadofthemighty.org.

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville, Gainesville food banks merge to feed needy in 12 counties