The Jaguars Foundation and the Dairy Council of Florida celebrated national Nutrition Month in March by partnering with Feeding Northeast Florida to aide First Coast families struggling with food insecurities by sponsoring four Corner Market food pantry visits. On Friday, March 26, Jaguars RB James Robinson and members of THE ROAR spent their morning greeting families and assisting them with shopping.
"I was happy to help families pick out food, get whatever they need and fill up their bags," said Robinson, who is entering his second season in the NFL. "It felt pretty good to do that and experience working in the community. Plus, every kid likes milk!"
Feeding Northeast Florida's Corner Market mobile food pantries serve individuals and families at a street-by-street level, prioritizing neighborhoods that have high rates of food insecurity. The 40' mobile markets are self-contained and equipped with coolers, freezers and shelves. The Markets are stocked with dairy products, fresh produce, lean proteins, wholegrain food and other resources.
"This partnership with the Jaguars and Dairy Council of Florida is especially meaningful because national research shows that milk is one of the items most requested by food pantry clients but one of the items most lacking in the flow of donated food to food banks," said Susan King, CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida. "Being able to bring our clients the products they want with help from Dairy Council of Florida and the added excitement of the Jaguars support is a win-win!"
For every Feeding Northeast Florida's mobile market visit, approximately 25 families are accommodated, and 1,385 pounds of food are distributed. That equals 1,154 meals with each visit. In the first six months of operation, the Corner Markets have served more than 4,000 individuals and families providing more than 107,000 pounds of nutritious food.
"We are proud to partner with the Jaguars Foundation and Feeding Northeast Florida to provide milk and dairy products to families in need," said Dairy Council of Florida Youth Wellness Director Teresa Moran-Wiebe. "Milk contains a unique combination of 13 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, that your body requires for good health."
Photos of the team hosting four mobile food pantry visits in March
