JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville city leaders have launched an initiative to transform the city’s food landscape, bringing together farmers, nonprofits, and community leaders to address systemic food challenges across the region.
The “State of the Food” plan, announced Tuesday, marks the start of a comprehensive citywide assessment of Jacksonville’s food system, aiming to bridge gaps in food access and strengthen local agricultural infrastructure.
“We don’t really have a food issue, we have a system issue,” Mayor Donna Deegan said during the launch event. “Just as we plan for roads and housing, we have to plan for food.”
Despite having 300 registered local farms and 20,000 acres of farmland within city limits, one in seven Jacksonville residents faces food insecurity. Deegan said this disparity highlights the complex challenges in connecting local food production with community needs.
Local farmers were in the audience and said they are excited to be a part of the process. Sarah Salvatore, Director of Eartha’s Farm and Market on Jacksonville’s Northside, manages a 10.5-acre urban farm but said she faces resource constraints.
“I’m only actively farming about two and a half acres due to capacity,” Salvatore explained. “I need funding to develop agricultural land when it comes to irrigation, tillage, and crop maintenance.”
Meanwhile, smaller-scale initiatives are proving the potential of urban farming. Kanada Sampson started “Soilful Sis,” a program that helps teach others how to grow in their own yards. Sampson operates a quarter-acre garden in her backyard that produced 300 pounds of food last year.
“I think it would be actually beautiful to have a community garden in every neighborhood,” Sampson said. “I want to be able to walk to the store and grab an onion the same way that people up north can go down to the Bodega.”
The city initiative will focus on four main areas: production, processing and distribution, access, and waste reduction. City officials will gather community input through public meetings and surveys to develop funding and regulatory solutions.
Local growers and community members have already begun sharing ideas for transformation, including establishing seed banks throughout neighborhoods, creating community gardens in every neighborhood, addressing zoning issues for urban agriculture and implementing citywide composting programs.
The city will host several public meetings to gather community input as it moves forward.
Residents interested in participating in the food plan process can send questions or comments to foodplan@coj.net
“This is a plan built with you,” Deegan said. “I’m proud of the direction we are heading and look forward to the work ahead.”