USF Center For The Advancement Of Food Security And Healthy Communities

10/16/2026

Food banks across the country are seeing more families come through their doors.

NBC News surveyed food banks in 35 states and Washington, D.C. Nearly three in four said they’re serving more people than last year. At the same time, higher food and fuel costs mean every dollar has to stretch further to get food to communities.

No single thing is behind this. Grocery prices, rent, transportation, health care costs and changes to food assistance are all adding up at once. Neighbors are telling us this isn’t a short rough patch. In our recent survey of people who have experienced food insecurity, 81% said people in their community are dealing with long-term financial stress, not temporary hardship.

That’s why food banks are planning now for a longer stretch of need. Programs like SNAP and local food banks work best side by side, and both types of support must remain strong for neighbors.

📰 Read the full story from NBC News: nbcnews.to/4BqPkAD

10/14/2026

Check out our community partners, Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, Inc. and Feeding Tampa Bay!

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

FREE FRUIT TREES at City Hall on Tour! 🥭 We’re giving away 150 fruit trees, including mango, avocado, fig, mulberry, and banana. Trees are available to St. Pete residents only and are first-come, first-served, so come early!

While you’re there, ask Mayor Ken Welch and his team your questions and get an inside look at the Burg Bid team’s plans for the Historic Gas Plant site.

🗓️ Wednesday, October 14 | 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
📍 The Coliseum
More info: stpete.org/CityHallOnTour

10/12/2026

In North Dakota, a food bank gets panicked calls weekly from anti-hunger groups whose shelves are nearly bare.

In Oregon, a food bank is spending more than ever on diesel to transport food, leaving less in the budget for food itself.

And in Maine, so many people now rely on a food bank that its distribution centers have started limiting visits, rationing milk, meat and produce.

NBC News surveyed 90 of the largest food banks across the country. The responses from 48 food banks, representing 35 states and Washington, D.C., were dire.

Read more: nbcnews.to/3VGPH9A

10/10/2026

Congratulations, Dr. Heewon Gray!

Congratulations to Dr. Heewon Gray!

Gray received the Mid-Career Professional Achievement Award from the Nutrition Education and Behavioral Science Research Interest Section of the American Society for Nutrition.

The national honor recognizes Gray’s contributions to nutrition education and behavioral science through her research, teaching, mentorship and leadership.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.usf.edu/health/public-health/news/2026/heewon-gray-receives-mid-career-award-for-contributions-to-nutrition-education-and-behavioral-science.aspx

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Congratulations to our Graduate Assistant, Aria Jade Garling, for being recognized as a Food as Medicine All-Star at the Florida Food is Medicine Symposium!

Aria is a concurrent masters student at USF in applied medical anthropology and public health, with a focus on community nutrition.

USF Department of Anthropology USF College of Public Health

10/06/2026