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Commissioner Adam Putnam

Commissioner Putnam Highlights National School Breakfast Week

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages Florida schools to “Take the School Breakfast Challenge” and celebrate National School Breakfast Week from March 6-11. National School Breakfast Week celebrates healthy starts to the day in cafeterias throughout the state. Last year, more than 140 million breakfasts were served to Florida’s K-12 students.

“Academic success begins at breakfast, and we have worked hard to make sure students start their day with nutritious options,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I thank our partners for organizing fun activities to excite kids about wholesome meals.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services administers the School Breakfast Program at the state level to ensure schools have the ability to provide healthy, wholesome breakfasts to students every day. 

Some events to promote National School Breakfast Week include:

  • Okaloosa County Public Schools will host a 1950s costume event and coloring contest.
  • Volusia County Public Schools will host fruit samplings and help students create themed posters.
  • Chile Elementary and Ft. Clarke Middle School in Alachua County will host giveaways, games and photo booths and participate in a breakfast “Egg Pop” promotion featuring new menu items.
  • Double Branch Elementary in Pasco County will use a “Minecraft” theme to excite students about “Building Your Way to a Better Day Starts With Breakfast.’
  • Pasco High School will host a beach-themed event.
  • Woodland Elementary in Pasco County will host special guests from the community, including policemen, firemen and nurses.
  • Sunray Elementary in Pasco County will host a motorcycle “Born to ride Straight to Breakfast” event with Bikers Against Child Abuse, police officers and Pasco County Fire. 

In an effort to enhance school nutrition, new dietary guidelines were implemented in 2012. New requirements include: providing age-appropriate caloric ranges, larger servings of fruit and vegetables, a wider variety of vegetables, fat-free or 1-percent milk, more whole grains and less sodium. 

For more information about the School Breakfast Program or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

More Than 15,000 Animals Inspected for Screwworm in Monroe County

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As part of the ongoing New World screwworm eradication efforts in Monroe County, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has assessed more than 15,000 animals for screwworm at the Animal Health Check Point, located at Mile Marker 106 in Key Largo. The department checks all animals traveling north out of the Keys for screwworm to prevent the spread of the infestation to the mainland. It has been more than 50 years since the New World screwworm has been found in Florida, and it could devastate the livestock industry if it spreads.
“We’re aggressively working to eradicate the screwworm in Florida,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “I thank Keys residents and visitors for stopping at the Animal Health Check Point because even the smallest number of flies on the mainland would threaten our livestock industry.”
The Animal Health Check Point is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since setting up the animal health checkpoint, agricultural law enforcement officers have assessed animals ranging from camels to parrots.
Early detection of screwworm infestations in pets, animals and livestock is key to successfully treating the wounds for a full recovery. A screwworm infestation is easily identified by:

  • Wounds infested with maggots;
  • Blood tinged discharge and foul odor;
  • Discomfort;
  • Decreased appetite of milk production; and
  • Seclusion from the rest of the herd or flock.

Residents who have warm-blooded animals (pets, livestock, etc.) should watch their animals carefully and report any potential cases to 1-800-HELP-FLA (1-800-435-7352) or non-Florida residents should call (850) 410-3800.  Visitors to the area should ensure any pets that are with them are also checked.
In early October, the United States Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of a New World screwworm infestation in the Key Deer population on Big Pine Key and No Name Key. New World screwworms are fly larvae (maggots) that can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.
In addition to outreach efforts and screwworm analyses at the interdiction station, the department is working with the USDA and other partners to implement the sterile fly technique. More than 124 million sterile flies have been released from ground sites. The infertile male flies mate with flies in infested areas to gradually breed the fly out of existence.
The sterile fly technique remains the most proven and effective tool since successfully eradicating the last screwworm infestation decades ago.  Today, USDA and its partners maintain a permanent sterile fly barrier at the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia to prevent the establishment of any screwworm flies that enter from South America.
For more information and to sign up for weekly screwworm email updates, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/screwworm.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Tour East Polk County Fire, Discuss Heightened Wildfire Danger Across Florida

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam will be in Polk County Friday morning to tour the Highway 630 fire, which has burned approximately 2,000 acres in the Indian Lake Estates area, and discuss heightened wildfire danger across the state. Commissioner Putnam and the Florida Forest Service will be available to media to discuss ongoing efforts at the Highway 630 Fire as well as wildfire conditions.
Event: Media availability with Commissioner Adam H. Putnam
Date: Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Indian Lake Estates Golf & Country Club
95 Red Grange Boulevard
Indian Lake Estates, Florida
Forecasts predict hotter and drier conditions than normal throughout the state in the coming months, and wildfires are anticipated to increase throughout the state due to these conditions.
There are more than 50 active wildfires currently burning throughout Florida. Since January, the Florida Forest Service and its partners have responded to more than 466 wildfires that burned more than 9,400.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.

Commissioner Adam Putnam Joins First Responders to Kick-off 2017 Florida State Fair

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi and first responders, today kicked-off the Florida State Fair with the annual “flip the switch” ceremony, turning on the fair’s lights for the first time this year. 2.9.2017 Florida State Fair
Opening day is “Salute to Heroes” day, and it continues the longstanding tradition of welcoming active duty military, veterans and first responders free of charge in recognition of their service to Florida and the nation.
First responder and law enforcement agencies present during the “flip the switch” ceremony included:

  • Florida National Guard
  • Florida Highway Patrol
  • Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
  • Tampa Fire Rescue
  • Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
  • Florida Forest Service
  • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement

Many new attractions are making their first national appearance at the Florida State Fair, as Florida is home to the first state fair of the year. The fair unveiled the largest traveling Ferris wheel, the Midway Sky Eye, in its North American debut. It boasts a height of 155 feet, and riders can see farther than 15 miles when situated at the top of the wheel. Other additions to the Florida State Fair include the Street Fighter 360 and the New Super Slide, which stands 60 feet tall and 180 feet long.
The Florida State Fair also showcases Florida’s livestock, poultry and fresh produce. More than 5,000 animals will be shown in competitions throughout the fair, with more than 1,500 FFA and 4-H participants. Fairgoers have the opportunity to learn about Florida’s agricultural process from numerous educational activities, such as orange juice tasting, hydroponic demonstrations and meal planning.
This year marks the 113th anniversary of the Florida State Fair. The first Florida State Fair was held in 1904 near Henry Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel, which is now the site of the University of Tampa, and it moved to its current location in 1977.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com. For more information on the Florida State Fair, visit FloridaStateFair.com.
Photo caption: Commissioner Adam H. Putnam, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chairman of the Florida State Fair Authority Doyle Carlton with first responders to “flip the switch” for the 113th Florida State Fair.

Consumer Alert: Avoid Tax-Related Scams this Tax Season

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages Floridians to be wary of tax-related scams during this tax season. According to the Internal Revenue Service, common scams include: tax preparer phishing scams, IRS-impersonator phone scams and e-mail phishing scams. Last year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services received 31 tax-related complaints, with 17 specific to IRS scams.
“Tax season gives scam artists the perfect opportunity to steal consumers’ identities and hard-earned money,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Floridians should be vigilant this tax season and protect their personal information.”
Consumers should be aware of the following information in order to protect themselves from scams:

  • The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail in most cases and will never ask for a credit card, prepaid debit card, money order or wire transfer immediately over the phone.
  • Never give out personal information over the phone, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit/debit card numbers without verifying the source. To ensure the source is legitimate, hang up and call the entity using its official number.
  • Floridians who are unsure about their tax situation can reach the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, protection and information. The call center is staffed with trained analysts who can respond to questions about programs and regulations under the department’s purview, provide information on a wide variety of topics or direct callers to the appropriate government agency.
For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Tampa man arrested for stealing fuel with counterfeit credit cards

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that investigators with his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement arrested Yohandys Pompa Corrales, 36, of Tampa for filling an unlawful bladder truck with fuel purchased with stolen financial information. A “bladder truck” is a vehicle that has been retrofitted with hidden tanks that hold high volumes of fuel, which is typically resold on the black market. Since the beginning of 2016, the department has arrested 43 individuals involved in this scheme.
Investigators also recovered 14 counterfeit credit cards from Corrales’ possession. Corrales was charged with: unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; fraudulently obtaining fuel, a second degree felony; possession of 14 counterfeit credit cards, a second degree felony; forgery of a credit card, a third degree felony; and introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third degree felony.
Corrales was booked in the Hillsborough County Jail.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Kick-Off Your Super Bowl Party with “Fresh From Florida” Recipes

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To kick-off a fun and healthy Super Bowl Sunday, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is sharing several quick and easy to make recipes before game time. These recipes feature delicious seafood and fresh fruits and vegetables produced right here in Florida. Look for products with the “Fresh From Florida” label at local grocery stores.
“If you’re looking for a few quick and simple recipes for Sunday’s big game, these ‘Fresh From Florida’ recipes are real winners, and they feature produce grown by Florida’s farmers and seafood caught in Florida’s waters,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam.

Florida Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salsa

corn tomato avocado salsa 2.2.2017

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Enchiladas

sweet corn black bean ench 2.2.2017

Florida Pink Shrimp Boil

Florida Pink Shrimp Boil 2.2.2017

Taco-Stuffed Florida Bell Peppers

taco stuffed bell peppers 2.2.2017
To find out what Florida crops are in season, browse recipes and learn more about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Orlando men arrested for stealing fuel with counterfeit credit cards

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that investigators with his Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement made two separate arrests in the Orlando area for filling unlawful bladder trucks with fuel purchased with stolen financial information.  A “bladder truck” is a vehicle that has been retrofitted with hidden tanks that hold high volumes of fuel.
Law enforcement officers arrested Alain Michel Montenegro Perdomo, 34, of Orlando after he allegedly filled his bladder truck that was estimated to hold more than 800 gallons of fuel. Investigators also recovered 23 counterfeit credit cards from Montenegro’s possession. Montenegro was charged with unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; fraudulently obtaining fuel, which is a second degree felony; and possession of 23 counterfeit credit cards, which is a second degree felony.
Law enforcement officers also arrested Gustavo Diaz Correa, 40, of Orlando. Investigators observed Diaz allegedly filling an unlawful bladder truck that was estimated to hold over 200 gallons. Investigators recovered one counterfeit credit card from his possession. Diaz was charged with  unlawful conveyance of fuel, which is a third degree felony; fraudulently obtaining fuel, which is a second degree felony; and credit card forgery, which is a third degree felony.
Both Montenegro and Diaz were booked in the Orange County Jail.
The Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement protects Florida’s agriculture and consumers through law enforcement in support of all the regulatory aspects of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For more information, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Provide nutritious meals to Florida children during summer months

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Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam encourages non-profit organizations and schools across the state to join the Summer BreakSpot program to help provide nutritional meals to children from low-income families during the summer months.
Last summer, more than 4,200 sites helped serve nearly 16 million meals to Florida children. The number of Summer BreakSpot meals served each summer has increased by 46 percent since Commissioner Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the program in 2012.
“Many children rely on the Summer BreakSpot program for access to healthy meals during summer,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The department is pursuing increased partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, schools, residential summer camps and faith-based organizations as they are well-positioned to reach unserved children throughout the state.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Summer BreakSpot is administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness and is run in local communities by schools and qualified public and private non-profit organizations.
Through the Summer BreakSpot program, organizations can provide nutritious, no-cost meals to children in low-income areas in addition to a variety of summer programs, including summer camps or academic, sports or other enrichment programs. Qualified organizations will be reimbursed for program operating and administrative expenses based on the number of eligible meals served. To be eligible, organizations must:

  • Provide continuing service to the community;
  • Serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as a part of an organized program for children enrolled at camps; and
  • Show financial and administrative capability to operate the program.

Training Information:
Required training will be offered online this year for both prospective and returning sponsors.  Optional workshops will also be offered regionally for more in-depth guidance.
Summer Food Program Live Training Locations
Summer food program taining loc1.31.2017

To learn more about the Summer Food Program, call 1-800-504-6609 or visit FreshFromFlorida.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) 

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). 

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Commissioner Putnam Seeks Nominations for Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is now accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, which has been presented annually since 1994 to environmentally innovative Florida farmers. The award recognizes enterprises that demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing progressive techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations must be submitted to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Wednesday, March 1, 2017.
The following environmental practices will be considered in judging nominations for the 2017 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award:

  • Wildlife protection and Habitat Conservation: Provide a safe, vibrant habitat for wildlife within an agricultural operation.
  • Pesticide/Nutrient Management: Use pesticides/nutrients responsibly, maximizing benefits and minimizing potential adverse environmental effects.
  • Water Quality: Preserve or improve water quality within or adjacent to an agricultural operation.
  • Soil and Water Conservation: Reduce soil erosion, nutrient depletion and water consumption, and enhance water recharge.
  • Waste Management/Recycling: Reduce waste by recycling agricultural by-products and waste products on site.

To learn more about the 2017 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.