Local farms and food banks expand fresh-food access across Seminole County

Dr. Ethan Johnson, host of the Healthy Seminal Show, convened leaders from Four Roots Farms, the Florida Department of Health, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and the Sharing Center to describe how local programs are addressing food insecurity in Seminole County.

Jay Groves, executive director of the Culinary Health Institute at Four Roots Farms, said the urban farm grows roughly "20,000 pounds of produce every week" and routes much of that harvest to a farmers market, a mobile market and partner agencies. "We want people to have access to healthy food," Groves said, adding the farm prices mobile-market produce at or below large retailers to keep fresh food affordable.

Groves said Four Roots pairs food production with nutrition education and meal kits designed for schools and community settings. He listed local partners that help distribute produce, including Second Harvest and several community-based organizations, and invited listeners to visit Four Roots’ community farmers market at the Packing District in West Orlando on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Paula Kohler, a representative of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County, described the county’s pantry program, which staff relaunched in partnership with the Sharing Center and local government. The pantry — renamed the "Stock Market" to honor Sanford's agricultural heritage and to reduce stigma — serves about "80 to 90 clients each week," Kohler said, and offers nonperishables, biweekly fresh produce from Four Roots, bakery donations from Publix and periodic health screenings with partners such as AdventHealth.

Kohler said the Stock Market operates every Wednesday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and that volunteers and families are welcome. "We wanted to give our clients a market to come to," she said, describing steps the pantry takes to reduce stigma and offer dignity.

Derek Chubbs, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, described the regional logistics behind local aid. Second Harvest, he said, serves seven counties from five locations and "distribute[s] on the average of around 300,000 meals every single day." Chubbs estimated roughly 65,000 Seminole County residents are food insecure and said that despite distributing millions of pounds of food locally, the network remains about "25% short of meeting the demand," in part because some people do not seek help or because some unhoused residents need ready-to-eat items that standard pantry supplies do not provide.

Chubbs directed listeners to the network resource feedhopenow.org to find partner agencies by ZIP code and to sign up to volunteer.

Takcoa Pori, chief executive officer of the Sharing Center, described the organization’s combined approach to food and housing stability: a weekday pantry, rental and utility assistance, case management and prevention services. The Sharing Center serves an estimated 50–60 families a day at its pantry, Pori said, and emphasizes a customized, dignified client experience in which volunteers shop for clients’ stated preferences and staff load orders into cars.

All guests emphasized partnerships—between farms, food banks, health agencies, schools and donors—as critical to filling gaps. Several speakers noted numbers have risen since 2024 and urged volunteers and donors to help meet demand.

Resources and next steps: feedhopenow.org lists partner agencies by ZIP code; Four Roots Farms hosts a public market in West Orlando on the second and fourth Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; the Stock Market pantry operates Wednesdays, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

The program closed with a reminder that local organizations welcome volunteers and that expanding fresh-food access depends on continuing partnerships and community support.