Florida News Straight From the Source
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried today joined Florida growers at a Subway restaurant in Tallahassee to highlight a Fresh From Florida-Subway partnership promoting Florida-grown produce. [Read more…] about Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights Fresh From Florida Partnership with Subway
Following Subtropical Storm Alberto, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is reminding Floridians to prepare for the 2018 hurricane season, which officially begins June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts another above-average hurricane season.
“As Floridians, we understand the threat of hurricane season all too well,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “It’s imperative that Floridians have a plan in place to protect their families, homes and businesses this hurricane season. Floridians should take advantage of the hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday that begins June 1.”
Floridians can take the following steps to prepare for the 2018 hurricane season:
In addition to these tips, it is crucial to have an adequate supply of food and water during a disaster.
During an emergency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides necessary food and water to affected areas and helps protect animals and pets. The department’s Florida Forest Service is responsible for incident management and assists emergency responders in clearing debris and distributing supplies. Additionally, the department’s Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement provides law enforcement services to police departments and county sheriff’s offices as necessary.
For more information and tips on hurricane preparedness, visit FloridaDisaster.org.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Tony Alvarez and Gianna Rivera of Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County are the 2018 “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champions. Alvarez and Rivera competed against two other regional teams of two to four students from across the state. All three “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off teams will participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Taste of Florida Agriculture reception tonight in the Florida Capitol courtyard.
As the winning team, Alvarez and Rivera each earned a Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan and an apprenticeship with celebrity chef Art Smith, and their recipe will be made available for Florida school food service authorities to use in their cafeterias.
Alvarez and Rivera prepared their original T&G Burrito, which featured salsa made of Florida-grown vegetables. Student contestants had two hours to prepare four servings of their dishes to be judges on: taste, appearance, creativity, best and most use of local ingredients, best and most use of commodity items, school food service appropriateness and execution.
The “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off entry requirements include:
Alvarez and Rivera and the other team finalists prepared their original dishes for a panel of judges, including: Chef Art Smith, Chef Bill Castleberry and Leon County School Food Service Procurement Supervisor Amy Hayden. Chef Art Smith has earned two James Beard awards, served as executive chef to Former governors Bob Graham and Jeb Bush, and spent 10 years as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. Chef Bill Castleberry has been a restauranteur, caterer and a culinary educator for the past 25 years. Amy Hayden has served in the school food service industry for 17 years.
For more information on the “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/StudentCookOff.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today a new partnership between Subway and “Fresh From Florida” to promote the Florida-grown produce served in the restaurant’s nearly 1,500 Florida locations. Beginning this month and running through April, Subway restaurants will feature “Fresh From Florida” advertising and marketing materials highlighting Subway’s commitment to sourcing locally grown Florida cucumbers, green peppers and tomatoes during local growing seasons.
“Florida’s hard-working farmers make it easy for everyone to enjoy fresh, local produce any time of the year,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam. “I’m proud to partner with one of Florida’s largest restaurant chains to highlight the availability and affordability of ‘Fresh From Florida’ products across the state.”
Last year, Subway purchased more than 74 million pounds of Florida-grown tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers.
“We are excited to partner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the ‘Fresh From Florida’ program to highlight Subway’s commitment to locally sourced, farm fresh produce,” said Staci Clark, longstanding Panama City area franchisee. “Our customers have a high expectation of high quality ingredients that are grown right here in our local communities and this partnership ensures that we continue to meet those goals.”
The “Fresh From Florida” partnership highlights Subway’s commitment to sourcing Florida produce, and locations in the following cities will feature advertising and marketing materials: Tallahassee, Orlando, Panama City, Gainesville, Miami, Ft. Myers, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host the final “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off in Tallahassee tomorrow, Jan. 30. The three regional champions will compete for a chance to have their original recipe served in school cafeterias and an apprenticeship with celebrity chef Art Smith.
The winning team will participate in the department’s Taste of Florida Agriculture reception tomorrow evening in the Florida Capitol courtyard.
Event: “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off Final
Contestants: Orlando Regional Winner- Tony Alvarez and Gigi Rivera of Bloomingdale Senior High School, T&G’s Burrito;
Jacksonville Regional Winner- Allyson Moore and Wyatt Junnila of Harmony High School, The Osceola Bowl; and
Palm Beach Regional Winner- Sheldon Riley and James Weichmann of Fort Pierce High School, Raw Kale Pasta with Strawberry Vinaigrette and Chipotle Chicken
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 30
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: FDACS Kitchen
Innovation Park
2051 E. Paul Dirac Dr.
Tallahassee, Fla.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.
Continuing a long-standing tradition of kicking-off the holiday season in the Florida Capitol, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam presented Florida-grown Red Cedar Christmas trees to Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Patronis today. At the ceremony, Governor Scott lit the Christmas tree in the reception area of the Executive Office of the Governor. First Lady Ann Scott hung the first ornament on the tree, the 2017 Governor’s Mansion Christmas ornament.
Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm in Tallahassee provided this year’s Christmas trees to be displayed on the Plaza Level of the Capitol through the month of December. Bavarian Christmas Tree Farm is a family farm, owned and operated by Franco and Sigrid Camacho for more than 16 years.
Floridians harvest approximately 16,000 Florida-grown Christmas trees from the state’s more than 100 Christmas tree farms each year to decorate their homes and businesses during the holiday season.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages innovative high school students to showcase their culinary skills by entering the department’s “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off. Teams of two to four students can submit original recipes featuring Florida-grown products for the chance to earn prizes and have their meal served in school cafeterias. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. For rules and to submit an entry, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/StudentCookOff.
Entry requirements include:
Students are encouraged to form teams of two to four and submit their recipes to be judged on: taste, appearance, creativity, best and most use of local ingredients, best and most use of USDA commodity foods, school food service appropriate and execution. Finalists will be chosen to compete in three regional cook-offs, which will be held in Miami on Saturday, Oct. 21; Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 28; and Jacksonville on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The first-place winners of each region will advance to the finale event at the Florida Capitol’s Taste of Florida Agriculture Day on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. The winning “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off team will receive a Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan and an apprenticeship with celebrity chef Art Smith, and their recipe will be added to school food service menus so that Florida schools have the opportunity to serve the meal.
Born in Jasper, Florida, celebrity chef Art Smith has earned two James Beard awards, served as executive chef to former Florida governors Bob Graham and Jeb Bush, and spent 10 years as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. Smith has also authored four cookbooks and opened multiple restaurants, most recently Homecoming at the Disney Springs, which highlights classic Florida dishes using locally-sourced ingredients.
For more information on the “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.
To highlight Sarasota County’s robust use of Florida fruits, vegetables and beef through the Farm to School program, all Sarasota County students will enjoy a “Fresh From Florida” lunch on Wednesday, May 10, to celebrate My “Fresh From Florida” Plate Day. Students will be served a hamburger, featuring a Florida beef patty and Florida lettuce and tomatoes, with Florida milk and a side of Florida’s seasonal fruit.
Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Bowden will help serve lunches, and local farmers and producers will participate and teach students about the agricultural process.
Event: My “Fresh From Florida” Plate Day
Participants: Sarah Whannel and Mike Baker, Homestead Hydroponic Farm
Nicole and Delanie Bartell, Florida Cattleman’s Association Sweethearts
Leslie and Alan Jones, Jones Potato Farm
Harrison and Robert Young, Miami Beef
Norm Stockton, Cattle Farmer in Sarasota County
Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Location: McIntosh Middle School
701 McIntosh Rd
Sarasota, Fla. 34232
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com or call 1-800-HELP-FLA.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Gianna Rivera of Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County is the 2017 “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champion. Rivera competed against four other regional finalists from across the state. Rivera’s winning Citrus Chicken Taco with Watermelon Salsa will be served in a school cafeteria, and the recipes of all five finalists will be converted into school meal service portions and accessible to sponsors throughout the state.
“A healthy diet is the foundation of academic success, and this competition is a fun way for students to learn how to incorporate wholesome ingredients into their daily lives,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
Rivera and the other finalists prepared original dishes featuring at least one Florida-grown fruit or vegetable for a panel of judges. Sheldon Riley of Fort Pierce Westwood High School in St. Lucie County placed second with his Southwestern Chicken and Orzo Salad. Wesley Hill of Eastside High School in Alachua County placed third with his Sautéed Chicken Salad with Citrus Bell Pepper Salsa.
The “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off entry requirements include:
For more information on the “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off, visit FreshFromFlorida.com/StudentCookOff.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today released the following statement regarding the “Fresh From Florida” program following the meeting of the House’s Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee:
“This is a political assault on a good program that will have real consequences on real people. Gutting the Fresh From Florida program will hurt Florida’s small farms the most – their ability to raise awareness for the high quality of their locally grown products and compete against lesser quality products from foreign countries.”
