Commissioner Nikki Fried Statement on Vice President Harris in Jacksonville

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined Vice President Kamala Harris for a listening session on food insecurity at the Feeding Northeast Florida food distribution warehouse. Commissioner Fried and the Vice President were joined by U.S. Representative Al Lawson (FL-05), Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools Dr. Diana Greene, Jacksonville City Councilmembers Joyce Morgan and Garrett Dennis, and Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO Susan King. Commissioner Fried greeted the Vice President upon her arrival on Air Force Two at Jacksonville International Airport.

Of the Vice President’s visit, Commissioner Fried offered the following statement:

“On behalf of the State of Florida, it’s a privilege to welcome our Vice President to the Sunshine State. It’s been a hard year across America, with Florida being hit harder by COVID-19 than most states – so we’re grateful for her and President Biden’s leadership. Our hearts break for the families of the 33,000 Floridians who have perished in this pandemic. This public health crisis has had a hidden impact: worsening chronic hunger. 3.5 million Floridians – including one million children – are unsure from where their next meal will come. People of color are especially affected, with 40 percent of Black families and 39 percent of Hispanic families facing food insecurity. We’re working hard to address this at the state level, overseeing 246 million school meals served to children this year, as well as 149 million pounds of food distributed to families and seniors in need. We deeply appreciate the Biden Administration’s partnership on addressing this hunger crisis, with the American Rescue Plan including many nutrition requests we’ve made – like extended and increased SNAP benefits, continued Pandemic EBT, and investing in food assistance for women, families, and seniors. I look forward to welcoming the Vice President back to Florida many times in the years to come, and I thank her and the President for helping us keep Florida growing.”

Background: Commissioner Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, in February released a state-federal partnership plan between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Biden Administration. The 30 page plan outlines nearly 40 projects and initiatives on which Commissioner Fried’s agency and the State of Florida can partner with federal departments and agencies, including policies on agriculture and trade, food and nutrition, water and energy, cannabis, rural communities, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in government and society. Called “extensive” and “expansive,” Fried’s plan has been applauded by members of Congress, state legislators, national think tanks, and agriculture and cannabis organizations.

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