February 2026
County Farm Bureaus celebrated Food Check-Out Week from Feb. 16-20, recognizing Florida’s farmers and ranchers for providing a nutritious, affordable food supply throughout the year.
Farmers and ranchers maintain a stable food supply despite challenging market conditions, weather extremes, land loss and plant and animal pests and diseases. Florida Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers donated 26 million pounds of food to feed Florida families facing food insecurity in 2024.
The following are examples of how county Farm Bureaus celebrated Food Check-Out Week in their communities this year. For more photos, visit the event Flickr album.
Members of the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee from all over North Florida visited the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tallahassee to cook a meal for its board of directors, staff and residents. Fifteen County Farm Bureaus donated more than 180 pounds of pop tabs, which will help fund Ronald McDonald House Charities’ continued support to families during tough times.
Bradford County Farm Bureau partnered with the Florida Peanut Federation to donate $800 worth of peanut butter to Promised Land Family Ministries’ food pantry in Lake Butler.
Dade County Farm Bureau announced a partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Department of Food and Nutrition to bring fresh food from local farms to school cafeterias.
Duval County Farm Bureau celebrated Food Check-Out Week with a tour of Feeding Northeast Florida’s new facility. The county Farm Bureau donated $4,000 to Feeding Northeast Florida and $1,500 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville to support both organizations’ service to their communities.
Gilchrist County Farm Bureau made a Food Check-Out Week display at the Gilchrist County Public Library and held a drawing for a $100 grocery store gift card.
Lake County Farm Bureau donated $500 to the Lake Cares food pantry, which served more than 71,000 people in Lake County in 2024.
Levy County Farm Bureau is holding a peanut butter drive for its local food banks throughout February.
Liberty County Farm Bureau donated $255 worth of peanut butter to the Calhoun Liberty Ministry Center to help stock their food pantry.
The Madison County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee published a cookbook in honor of Food Check-Out Week. Its recipes highlight local agriculture in Madison County.
Marion County Farm Bureau held a raffle for Publix gift cards during the 2026 Southeastern Youth Fair.
Nassau County Farm Bureau donated $1,500 worth of healthy groceries to Micah’s Place, the only certified domestic violence center in Nassau County.
Okaloosa County Farm Bureau donated a pallet of peanut butter to Sharing & Caring, a local food bank in Crestview.
Okeechobee County Farm Bureau donated groceries to Martha’s House, a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, legal counseling and other important resources to victims of domestic violence.
Members of the Polk County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program purchased two hogs from the Polk County Youth Fair to process and donate to the Bartow Community Service Center.
Putnam/St. Johns County Farm Bureau had booths at farmers markets in Palatka and Ponte Vedra, where they shared Food Check-Out Week information with the community.
Sarasota County Farm Bureau gifted a total of $300 in grocery store gift cards to three county Farm Bureau members: the newest member, an active member, and its longest‑serving member, 92‑year‑old cattleman Tony Carlton (pictured), who has been part of the organization for 53 years.
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation declaring Feb. 16-20 Food Check-Out Week with Seminole County Farm Bureau board members.
Suwannee County Farm Bureau made a $1500 donation to Vivid Visions, a domestic crisis center and shelter.
The Union County Women’s Committee held drawings for a total of $300 in grocery gift cards at Spires, Lake Butler’s local grocery store. They tabled outside of the store to share information about how Farm Bureau supports agriculture in their community and across Florida.
Volusia County Farm Bureau handed out approximately 500 reusable shopping bags to customers at the Volusia County farmer’s market.
Washington County Farm Bureau donated a cart of nutritious produce to the Main Street Market in Chipley.
