Senate President Ben Albritton wants to tackle hunger next year

Republican Senate President Ben Albritton wants to deploy state resources and farming communities to alleviate food insecurity, he said during a press conference Monday.

Albritton, a fourth-generation citrus grower, said he is working with Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson on proposals for the coming legislative session.

“Everywhere I’ve spoken about this … it’s received vigorous applause, and that is to attack food insecurity in Florida, especially in children,” Albritton said. “And I know there are people that probably say, ‘Oh that’s a politician’s answer.’ Well, anybody that knows me knows it breaks my heart every day that this is happening.”

He said he was open to a conversation with Gov. Ron DeSantis about summer federal programs to feed kids. Last summer, Florida was among 13 states that didn’t participate in the program, which gave low-income households with school-aged children $120 for grocieries.

The USDA estimates that more than 2 million children in Florida would qualify through the program, at a cost to the state of $13 million. Despite calls from anti-hunger, faith, and children’s advocacy groups, the administration hasn’t signaled to the federal government that Florida plans to run the program next year.

“I’ve found this governor to be very reasonable and, he and I, we’re on great footing right now, and I’m really excited about it,” Albritton said. “I have a lot of respect for him. So, we’ll be having the conversation about the food insecurity proposals that the Senate will be coming up with in conjunction with the House and partnership with [Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services].”