We were so thankful to be able to celebrate our Fresh Access Bucks Annual Convening in person this year at Feeding Tampa Bay. The annual convening brings together Fresh Access Bucks farm-direct partners for connection, collaboration, and to celebrate the work we have done, and what folks are doing well. 

The night before the conference, we had the privilege of enjoying a lovely happy hour at Meacham Urban Farm, one of our Tampa Bay area partners. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with friends—both new and familiar—while enjoying the ambiance of the farm. We enjoyed delicious food that the team from Meacham Urban Farm both grew and prepared onsite. Over the course of the evening our group was able to enjoy a guided tour of Meacham, farm cats (all named after tractors!) and even a birthday cake.

Travis Malloy from Meacham Urban Farm shared how being part of the Fresh Access Bucks program has helped them achieve more than they thought possible. When the farm first opened, they were asked to deliver on three fronts: organic, affordable, and local produce. Travis informed them that they would be able to accomplish two of the three. Thanks to FAB, they’ve been able to make all three goals possible.


A plate of fresh veggies, dips, and salad sits on a table with a farm field in the background. A small pineapple grows from the center of a leafy plant in an outdoor garden.
Five people stand in front of a warehouse under a canopy, smiling with plants and a table behind them.

Bright and early Wednesday morning, we gathered at Feeding Tampa Bay, a valued partner in the Feeding Florida hunger relief network. The facility was exactly what we needed, and everyone we interacted with was welcoming and helpful. We couldn’t speak more highly of their team. After breakfast and a warm welcome, we dove right into the day.

The FAB team hosted several sessions to collaborate, problem solve, and provide resources to strengthen success at their outlets. Katie Delaney and Heather Henderson shared program updates and how we plan to thrive in the coming year.


A woman sits at a welcome table with colorful folders, greeting attendees at a conference. A woman presents at a conference, gesturing to a screen as attendees listen from round tables.

“Seeing our partners in person, making connections with each other and problem solving together is so inspiring. Our partners are making real impact on the health of their communities and the lives of Florida-farmers and we’re so grateful to support them in that work.” -Heather Henderson, FAB Assistant Director

To keep things engaging, we introduced a fun trivia game to test everyone’s knowledge of Fresh Access Bucks and our updated website. Our partners impressed us with their knowledge, making it a competitive race to win prizes donated by the FAB team. The handmade, needle-felted fruit basket was the fan favorite!

Feeding Florida and Feeding Tampa Bay’s Florida Nutrition Education teams also treated us to a food demo featuring a refreshing watermelon salsa. An easy, healthy, Florida-grown recipe that hit all the right notes for a mid-afternoon snack. 


A person prepares watermelon salsa at a cooking demonstration, standing behind a table filled with prepped ingredients. The table holds bowls of cubed watermelon, chopped peppers, diced onion, lemon juice, and a bottle of oil. All ingredients are already cut and arranged for easy mixing. The person is mid-motion, possibly stirring or explaining the process, with a focus on showcasing fresh, colorful, seasonal ingredients.Four women from Feeding Tampa Bay and Florida Nutrition Education stand in front of a Fresh Access Bucks screen.
 

During one of our breakout sessions—called “Core Dilemma”—partners split into small groups to talk through challenges they’re currently facing, both with implementing FAB and operating their markets more broadly. With a wide range of experience across the state, the groups were able to generate thoughtful, creative solutions. These sessions are a reminder that we’re not alone in this work and that there’s no one-size-fits-all model. The discussions were a highlight for many, including Jessica Meyer from Dig Local Network:

“I always appreciate an opportunity for market managers to support one another and network at in-person events. I LOVED the Core Dilemma breakout groups! I enjoyed the competitive quiz to keep us sharp on our SNAP/FAB understanding! This was the best one yet! It’s great to connect with the FAB team in person and feel the support! You all rock!!”

We also dug into how markets can pursue outside funding to support long-term success. As shared in the Core Dilemma groups, many outlets operate with limited budgets and small volunteer teams. This session encouraged everyone to think creatively and strategically—breaking down community asks into manageable pieces and setting clear, mission-aligned goals for sustainable growth.


Two people look up at towering shelves stocked with food in a large warehouse.A large group of volunteers wearing white shirts are organizing and packing food in a warehouse. Tall shelves stacked with boxes and food supplies rise in the background, filling the space with abundant donations.

We spent most of the day in one of  Feeding Tampa Bay’s excellent conference rooms, but by the afternoon, it was time to stretch our legs. The incredible staff broke us into small groups and gave us a tour of their 215,000-square-foot facility. Feeding Tampa Bay goes beyond providing food—they offer legal aid, medical services, and disaster relief, all with dignity and choice at the core of their mission. It was a powerful and inspiring experience.We closed the convening by celebrating wins and acknowledging the incredible work happening across the network. It was the perfect way to end the day. Lifting each other up and reaffirming our shared commitment to food access.

“It really energized me to know we are not alone in not only the administrative “pains” of it all regardless of whether you run a farm, for-profit, or any kind of market, but also in the overall environment we’re all navigating.” —Tasty Tuesdays Community Market

A large group of people smiling at the camera in front of a projector screen displaying “Fresh Access Bucks.” These are all the attendees of the Fresh Access Bucks Annual Convening.

Our partners left us inspired. From creative solutions to bold new ideas, we’re excited to see what you all do next—and we’re here to support every step of the way. We walked away feeling more connected and energized than ever. Thank you for being part of this growing community, we’re proud to walk beside you in the work to make healthy, Florida-grown food accessible for all.