Commissioner Nikki Fried Visits Palm Beach County to Highlight Consumer Protection & Food Insecurity

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Today, Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials traveled to Palm Beach County to highlight her commitment to protecting consumers and raising awareness of food insecurity, particularly in South Florida.

“Summer is a busy travel season in Florida, and as our state’s leading consumer protection agency, our Department is hard at work ensuring Floridians and the 126 million travelers who visit our state are protected, including at the airport,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Unexpected overweight baggage fees can add up – that’s why we inspect over 45,000 weighing devices each year. We’re committed to defending consumer rights and safeguarding Florida’s taxpayers.”

Commissioner Fried joined FDACS Inspectors Rachel Cantillo and Mike Scott at Palm Beach International Airport – recently named a top-ten American airport in Travel & Leisure – where she participated in inspecting airport baggage scales for accuracy. As Florida’s lead consumer protection agency, FDACS routinely inspects Florida's scales, gas pumps, price scanners, and other commercial weighing and measuring devices to protect consumers from inaccurate readings and unfair charges.

Fried was joined by Palm Beach County Vice Mayor Dave Kerner, Palm Beach County Commissioner Hal Valeche, and staff members for U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings and Palm Beach County Commissioners Melissa McKinlay and Robert Weinroth.

Palm Beach International Airport – Baggage Scale Inspection:Click for photos/video 

Following the inspection, Commissioner Fried visited Feeding Palm Beach County, a chapter of Feeding South Florida. After participating in a productive roundtable discussion on food insecurity, Commissioner Fried joined staff members and local elected officials in Feeding Palm Beach County’s warehouse, sorting food items and packing food boxes for distribution throughout the four-county area.

“Fighting food insecurity is one of my top priorities, because the cost of doing nothing is too great. Food insecurity affects all of us – it increases our state’s healthcare costs, undermines our workforce, and keeps our children from reaching their full potential,” shared Commissioner Nikki Fried. “I’m grateful for our Department’s food bank partners like Feeding South Florida, which provides millions of meals to hungry children. Together, we’re expanding access to nutritious food, improving peoples’ lives, and keeping Florida growing.”

Fried was joined by State Representatives Mike Caruso, Tina Polsky, David Silvers, and Joseph Casello, Boynton Beach Vice Mayor Justin Katz, and staff members for U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings and Palm Beach County Commissioners Melissa McKinlay and Robert Weinroth.

 Feeding Palm Beach County – Food Insecurity Roundtable & Food Distribution: Click for photos/video

 Since 2012, Feeding South Florida has more than tripled its output of food from 6 million pounds and 5 million meals, to more than 21 million pounds and 17.5 million meals in 2019 – in Palm Beach County alone. More than just providing food, the organization’s goals include breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty, and employing innovative programs to transition families from dependency to self-sufficiency. Feeding South Florida is also the largest provider of emergency food assistance in each county they serve, and is a partner with FEMA, the Florida National Guard, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

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