The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is recognizing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as December’s Helping Hand for helping raise public awareness about the Lifeline Assistance telephone and broadband discount program, energy and water conservation, and scams affecting consumers.
“The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offer state-wide educational Consumer Protection Fairs that support our outreach strategies to assist consumers,” said PSC Chairman Julie Brown. “We appreciate DACS for including us in community events since it allows us to broaden our reach by sharing PSC information with a wider audience.”
Each month, the PSC highlights a partner agency or organization whose clients are eligible for the Federal Lifeline Program and/or need help reducing energy and water bills. Through these PSC Helping Hand partnerships, the Commission shares vital information to help consumers better manage their resources to meet their monthly bills and avoid falling for utility-related scams.
“We appreciate the PSC honoring us with this award. Those that attend our Consumer Protection Fairs really enjoy the PSC presentations and information,” said Alexander Warmka, Research and Training Specialist, with DACS’ Division of Consumer Services. “Our community programs include elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged persons who need assistance to maintain their independence and quality of life. PSC information supports our efforts to connect consumers to the vital community services they need.”
Look for all the PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s homepage, under Hot Topics.
About the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food. Their programs are so varied and extensive, they touch the life of just about every Floridian. For more information, call 1-800-HELP-FLA or 1-800-435-7352.
florida department of agriculture and consumer services
Eight Additional Florida Schools Awarded HealthierUS School Challenge Designation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that eight more Florida schools have earned HealthierUS School Challenge designations. Since the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services assumed responsibility of the state’s school nutrition programs in 2012, the number of certified HUSSC schools has increased from 27 to 384.
The HealthierUS School Challenge, a joint effort with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the United States Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary certification initiative that recognizes schools that meet specific criteria to improve food and beverage options, offer nutrition education and promote physical activity.
“I applaud these schools for going above and beyond to grow healthy habits that help students reach academic success,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The following schools were recently awarded HUSSC designation:
Lake County School District
- Triangle Elementary School (Gold)
Leon County School District
- Woodville Elementary School (Silver)
School District of Manatee County
- Ballard Elementary School (Bronze)
- Kinnan Elementary School (Silver)
Sumter County School District
- Bushnell Elementary School (Bronze)
- Lake Panasoffke Elementary School (Bronze)
- Webster Elementary School (Bronze)
- Wildwood Elementary School (Bronze)
Schools can apply for four different levels of designation that last for four years: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Gold Award of Distinction. In addition to an award plaque and display banner, designated schools receive the following monetary awards: $500 for Bronze designation; $1,000 for Silver designation; $1,500 for Gold designation; and $2,000 for Gold Awards of Distinction.
For more information about the HealthierUS School Challenge initiative and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Adam Putnam to Address Florida Highway Patrol’s 137th Recruit Class at Graduation
MEDIA ADVISORY
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam tomorrow will address Florida Highway Patrol’s 137th Basic Recruit Class at their graduation ceremony.
Event: 137th Recruit Class graduation
Date: Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Christian Heritage Church
2820 Sharer Rd.
Tallahassee, Fla.
Excerpts from Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Remarks at Rural Economic Development Summit
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today delivered remarks at the Rural Economic Development Summit in St. Augustine. The following are excerpts from his remarks:
“The goal of rural economic development is not to turn our rural communities into urban communities. The goal of rural economic development is to embrace the things that make our communities strong and create new opportunities that are vertically integrated in the strengths we already have so that our kids don’t have to all leave to find good jobs.
“The things that I think we need to do are all about creating opportunities for our kids to be able to find their piece of the American Dream—in the same town, in the same county, and in our state.
“So how do we get there? First and foremost, it begins with education, and it begins by making sure that our rural counties, our small-town schools, get the resources they need to help our kids be successful in a very complicated and rapidly changing global economy.
“It means putting vocational, technical and career education and skills back into middle schools and back into high schools. Think back to when you were out of power. Have you ever been happier to see anyone than when the bucket truck gets to your house? They did a phenomenal job. The average age of that workforce continues to grow. We can’t find enough linemen. Those are great jobs.
“Our students need to know what they can earn. Maybe it’s as a lineman, maybe it’s as a service tech at a Chevy Dealership, maybe it’s the person who’s going to come fix your air conditioner, fix your plumbing, fix your electrical. Those are great jobs that our kids can do and stay in their communities and become their own business owners.
“So before we pressure all of our students into student loan debt for a degree they don’t want and can’t use, we need to let them know what they can earn. That means reorienting the system so that it’s not only about university degrees. It’s also about post-secondary education, where they top off their skills and they come out of school employable.
“The number one job vacancy in Florida every month has been in nursing. If we’re going to rebuild the middle class, and rebuild our rural communities and rebuild our inner cities, we have to invest in our community colleges and state colleges.
“The state that’s the Fishing Capital of the World ought to build more boats. The state that put a man of the moon ought to be the leader in the next generation of innovation for the next giant leap of mankind. Our rural communities are not at a disadvantage for many of the jobs of the future.
“It comes down to having the workforce, having the skillset, having the education system, having the infrastructure. And by ‘infrastructure,’ I don’t just mean roads and bridges. I mean water infrastructure to protect our springs, to convert failed septic systems to sewer, to make sure that people have the experiences that make Florida, Florida. And I mean the digital infrastructure.
“We need to lead in education, infrastructure and workforce development. Florida is stronger because of our diversity and because of our size and because we have world-class attractions, and the longest coastline and cities that are international brands unto themselves. But Florida is also special and strong and better because we have communities that don’t have their own interstate exists, whose economies are rooted around the land, attached to the land, and they offer plenty of room for the next great manufacturing facilities if we can guarantee the talent pipeline is loaded.
“We have the logistics and rail and highways. We have plenty of land, low taxes, and a group of the world’s finest economic developers who are ready to roll out the welcome mat to anyone who wants to call Florida home.
“The future of Florida will only be strong and right if we have a balanced and comprehensive approach to economic development that doesn’t leave rural communities behind. Rural economic development is about bringing real job opportunities to our communities, creating sites that are ready to go, branding and marketing our regions as places that are open for business and ready to welcome anyone who wants to call Florida home.”
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recovers Nearly $179,000 for Consumers in November
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recovered nearly $179,000 for Florida consumers during the month of November. Last year, the department recovered nearly $3 million for Florida consumers from moving companies, vehicle repair shops, pawn shops, health studios, telemarketers, sellers of travel and more.
During November 2017, the department:
- Recovered $178,881 on behalf of Florida consumers;
- Received 3,464 complaints;
- Initiated 287 investigations;
- Arrested 21 individuals;
- Provided assistance to 19,550 consumers through the 1-800-HELP-FLA hotline, online chats and emails; and
- Added 12,675 telephone numbers to Florida’s Do Not Call List.
As the state’s clearinghouse for consumer complaints, the department educates the public, investigates complaints and provides mediation on behalf of consumers. The department’s 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.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For consumer protection information and resources, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com.
Check-A-Charity Before Donating This Giving Tuesday
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is offering tips to help Floridians make the most of their charitable contributions in advance of Giving Tuesday, which is nationally celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps Floridians maximize their donations by providing detailed information on charities registered in Florida.
“Floridians repeatedly support each other when it matters most, but before donating this Giving Tuesday, it’s important to know how your contributions will be spent,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Floridians should to take the following simple steps when preparing to make a charitable contribution:
- Check-A-Charity Before Donating
Use the department’s Check-A-Charity tool at FloridaConsumerHelp.com to view a charity’s financial information, how contributions are being spent and current registration status, or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).
- Watch out for Scams
Scammers take advantage of people by pretending to be a real charity to commit fraud. Frequently, bogus charities will exploit a recent natural disaster or tragedy, such as a hurricane, and promise to use the donations to aid victims. It is also important not to judge a charity solely on its name, as many organizations may use names similar to well-known charities and organizations.
- Keep Good Records
Always obtain and save a printed copy of a donation or a receipt showing the amount of the contribution. Not all organizations soliciting in the name of benevolence are true charities eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Ask about the organization’s federal and state eligibility for receiving tax deductible donations. Typically, such donations fall under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).
For more information about individual charities, check out the Check-A-Charity tool.
All charities soliciting within Florida, excluding religious, educational, political and governmental agencies, are required to register and file financial information with the department. If a professional solicitor is requesting a donation on behalf of a charity, the solicitor also must be registered with the department and should be able to provide their registration number.
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 about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Adam Putnam Provides Tips to Avoid Black Friday, Cyber Monday Scams
In advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam is providing tips to help consumers avoid scams.
Keep the following tips in mind while shopping on Black Friday:
- Some retailers may inflate prices ahead of Black Friday to create the illusion of a drastic price cut. Research the regular retail price of items to check how much will actually be saved.
- Price matching policies may be suspended by some retailers between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
- Be wary of unexpected emails that claim to contain coupons with significant discounts and ask for personal information. Don’t click on any suspicious links. These may contain malware to compromise your identity.
- Read the fine print at the bottom of sales ads, as sales may be limited to certain time periods, brands or quantities.
Below are precautions to take on Cyber Monday:
- Avoid websites with odd or incorrect spellings of legitimate companies. Domain names that include hyphens are often red flags.
- Beware of bogus websites promising unbelievable deals. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be wary of “delivery failure” or “order confirmation” emails for items you did not order. These may be used to gain a consumer’s personal information.
- Use a credit card for online orders. It is easier to dispute and mediate fraudulent charges with a credit card than a debit card.
- Use strong passwords for credit cards and bank accounts.
Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For consumer protection information and resources, visit FloridaConsumerHelp.com.
Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Praises Governor Rick Scott’s Wildland Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officer Pay Raise Proposals
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement regarding Governor Rick Scott’s proposed pay raises for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ wildland firefighters and law enforcement officers:
“I thank Governor Scott for his commitment to Florida’s first responders and for proposing pay raises for our department’s wildland firefighters and law enforcement officers. These proposed raises will help us recruit and retain the best law enforcement officers and wildland firefighters to keep Floridians and visitors safe.”
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Statement by Commissioner Adam Putnam on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season:
“Today’s lowered forecast shows that the damage to Florida citrus from Hurricane Irma is still unfolding, and it will continue to for some time. Florida’s growers need support and they need it fast. I will continue to work with Governor Scott and leaders in Washington to get Florida’s growers the support and relief they need to rebuild as quickly as possible.”
The USDA’s forecast today of 50 million boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is down 4 million boxes from the October estimate.
In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida citrus sustained more than $760 million in damages. Commissioner Putnam also joined Governor Rick Scott in Washington D.C to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida’s Congressional Delegation.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
Commissioner Putnam Highlights Services Available to Veterans and Military Members
Ahead of Veterans Day, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is highlighting the services that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides to Florida’s more than 1.6 million veterans, as well as some services for active military members. The department works to support our nation’s heroes and their families through services, such as: waiving fees for professional licenses, expediting concealed weapon license applications and providing unique outdoor opportunities to wounded veterans.
“The men and women who selflessly serve our country and defend our liberty deserve all of the support we can give them,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The department provides enhanced services to veterans and active members of the military by:
- Waiving the fees for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses to enter new professions or open a business that is licensed by the department so that these men and women can jumpstart their careers.
- Expediting nearly 90,000 applications for concealed weapon licenses for veterans and active duty military since the summer of 2015. Honorably discharged veterans should submit a copy of their DD 214 long form with their applications. More information on how honorably discharged veterans can apply for a concealed weapons license can be found here.
- Hosting wounded veterans at outdoor recreational events free of charge through Operation Outdoor Freedom. More than 3,000 wounded veterans have participated in more than 400 guided hunts, fishing trips, canoe trips and more in Florida’s state forests and designated outdoor spaces. Additional information about the program and upcoming events can be found here.
- Dedicating two of Florida’s state forests in honor of our veterans – Peace River State Forest and Prairie Tract State Forest – and reducing forest entrance and camping rates for veterans to enjoy these great places.
- Accepting relevant military training or education when veterans or active military members apply for private investigator and security officer licenses.
Visit FreshFromFlorida.com to learn more about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
