As thousands of our residents face rising food insecurity due to disruptions in their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the County Commission has taken immediate action to help Alachua County residents enrolled in the program meet their basic needs.
Earlier this month, commissioners approved $200,000 in emergency funding to expand food distribution across the county, with half of the funds targeted for providing fresh fruits and vegetables. The county is utilizing multiple resources to distribute this food to families in need.
One distribution tool is working with six family resource centers to distribute fresh produce from Frog Song Organics, a farm in Hawthorne that offers about 80 types of fruits and vegetables. Frog Song Organics is also sourcing produce from other farms.
Learn more about Frog Song Organics.
The resource centers will distribute this produce on various days throughout the week.
Residents will be asked to verify SNAP enrollment and county residency. All food will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Family resource center information:
- Library Partnership Resource Center (912 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville) – Distribution on Tues., Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. For more information, call 352-334-0160 or visit their website.
- Willie Mae Stokes Community Center (355 NW Eestalustee (6th) Ave., Micanopy) – Distribution on Wed., Nov. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 352-466-1136 or follow us on Facebook.
- Hawthorne Area Resource Center (21923 SE 67th Pl., Hawthorne) – Distributions Mon. – Fri. from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 352-450-5421 or follow us on Facebook.
- Resource Center of Deeper Purpose (19975 NW 244th St., Unit 30, High Springs) – Distributions on Fri. from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 352-454-8493 or follow on Facebook.
- One Community Family Resource Center (1725 SE 1st Ave., Gainesville) – Distributions on Mon. - Wed. from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 352-283-2185.
- SWAG Family Resource Center (807 SW 64th Terr., Gainesville) – Distribution is on Sat., Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 352-505-6823 or visit their website.
In addition to working with the resource centers, two farmers markets—Grove Street and High Springs—will also receive county funding to help Alachua County SNAP recipients access fresh foods. Alachua County SNAP recipients are eligible for up to $25 each to spend at these two markets. This is an addition to any November SNAP benefits that have already been received.
The farmers market funding is available only to Alachua County SNAP recipients who can show an EBT card and proof of residency.
Farmers market information:
“Working with our local family resource centers, local farms and farmers markets for food assistance at this critical time is a strategic investment and a win-win,” said County Commissioner Anna Prizzia. “We are bolstering our local food economy, providing fresh, nutritious food and building collaborations to increase food security for Alachua County.”
Stay tuned for information on food boxes containing non-perishable items that will be distributed through resource centers and other sources in collaboration with Bread of the Mighty Food Bank.
Learn more about Bread of the Mighty and use an interactive map to find food.
For more information about the county’s efforts, contact Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979 or msexton@alachuacounty.us.
