Commissioner Higgins has partnered with Unity Groves to provide fresh produce boxes to residents who are facing food insecurity during the pandemic
As part of the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program, District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins has partnered with Unity Groves, a full-service grower, packer and shipper of Florida-grown fresh produce in Redland, Florida, to provide 19,200 fresh produce boxes to residents facing food insecurity during the reopening of the county.
This partnership comes after the passage of Commissioner Higgin’s legislation which advocated for the county to provide a solution to get produce boxes to residents without cars, due to the fact that food distributions during the pandemic have been mostly drive-through. Twenty percent of residents in District 5 do not have a car.
“I am grateful to Unity Groves and the Farmers to Families Food Box Program for providing the infrastructure and volume of healthy, fresh food required to meet the needs of District 5’s most vulnerable residents,” said Commissioner Higgins.
The distribution was kicked off by handing out 3,200 20-pound fresh produce boxes to Little Havana and Miami Beach residents. This was made possible by collaboration with community partners, faith-based organizations, and public housing buildings for seniors. District 5 has also partnered with food pantries in Little Havana to host 2 distributions weekly.
The USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program is a huge support of this distribution, as the program has launched in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The USDA has been supporting America’s agricultural community and guaranteeing that families have access to fresh produce boxes and wholesome food during the pandemic. Unity Groves has worked to do the same.
“Unity Groves is honored to serve the community and get needed resources into the hands of residents as a distributor for the USDAs Farmers to Families Food Box Program,” said Louie Carricarte, President of Unity Groves.
USDA provided Unity Groves with a contract which allows them to supply 75,000 boxes to South Florida for 6-week period. Unity Groves will be working with nonprofit organizations and government entities to identify the most in-need areas. Funding could also allow the USDA program to be renewed until the end of the year.
Residents can expect the following food distribution events to occur in District 5:
Every Thursday Until June 25:
Iglesia Bautista Resureccion
2323 SW 27th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33145
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Walk up and drive-thru
Salvation Army
911 West Flagler Street, Miami FL 33130
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walk up and drive-thru
Every Saturday through June 27
Miami-Dade County Auditorium in partnership with Miami-Dade Parks
2901 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33135
Distribution beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Drive-thru only
