L-R: Feed the Need Representative Molly Fox pictured with Centerplate Sustainability Director Molly Crouch delivering lettuce for donation 

With a goal of supporting the community through this pandemic, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) continues to collaborate with Centerplate and Urban Smart Farms to donate fresh center-grown produce to help feed Orlando during these uncertain times. In partnership with 4Roots, an extension of the 4Rivers Foundation, the OCCC and service partners are supporting the Feed the Need Florida initiative, a statewide effort to ensure the provision of nutritious meals for public school students and their families.

To date, the Center has donated more than 1,200 heads of freshly harvested lettuce to 4Rivers Smokehouse, who are supporting the initiative and partnering with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Orange County Public Schools to distribute thousands of meals to help those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. With a plan to donate more than 350 heads of lettuce per week, the OCCC’s freshly grown produce will be an important addition in providing healthy meals to those who need it most.

With their days starting at 5 a.m., employees and volunteers supporting this initiative spend hours preparing and packaging thousands of meals per day for local families. More than 11,000 meals are produced each week for children, and 1,000 meals for parents across the region. To learn more about the initiative, please visit feedtheneedfl.org.