AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Alerts: FDA says hodo recalled thousands of cases of Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu in 29 states, including Florida, due to possible ink contamination; separately, Lundberg Family Farms’ white jasmine rice recall expanded to a dozen states including Florida, with retailers like Walmart, Target and Whole Foods named. Consumer & Business: Florida AG Letitia James joined a coalition suing Amazon over alleged manipulation of ad auctions and hidden overcharges totaling more than $20 billion. Local Food & Community: September is Hunger Action Month, with Harry Chapin Food Bank reporting nearly 300,000 people served monthly across Southwest Florida and hitting a milestone of its 500 millionth pound distributed since 1983. Stadium Dining Expansion: Checkers & Rally’s is adding two new concession stands at Raymond James Stadium, bringing its total to four locations for game days. Policy Watch: A federal judge paused a lawsuit that could revoke nationwide access to mifepristone, delaying action until after Dec. 1.

Food Safety Recall: FDA expanded a voluntary recall of Lundberg Family Farms White Jasmine Rice (54,648 pounds; UPC 073416040281; lots 260201MA/260202MA; best-before Feb. 1–2, 2027), affecting stores including in Florida and other states, after potential foreign material contamination was found. Community Food Support: Tampa General Hospital was recognized for its “food as medicine” push, signing the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again pledge and spotlighting nutrition-centered patient meals. Local Dining & Fundraising: Southwest Florida’s Sizzle Dining returns for its 10th year, running all September with 140 participating restaurants in Lee and Collier counties and $1 from each meal supporting Blessings in a Backpack. New Restaurant Opening: Shake Shack will open its South Naples location Sept. 4 (dine-in and drive-thru) and donate $1 per sandwich sold that day to Harry Chapin Food Bank. Shellfish Heritage: A feature on oysters’ deep roots in St. Andrews Bay highlights how scientists and residents are working to keep shellfish central to Florida’s coastal food culture.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA expanded a recall of more than 27,000 packages of Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine white rice (2-lb bags) due to possible foreign material contamination, with affected UPC 073416040281 and lot codes 260201MA/260202MA (best-before Feb. 2027); the rice was sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Wegmans, Whole Foods and Giant, and Lundberg says the issue was limited to one production run with no illnesses reported. Public Health & Nutrition: Tampa General Hospital was recognized for putting “food as medicine” at the center of care, signing the Make Hospital Food Healthy Again pledge after revamping its patient meal program. State Policy Hits the Pantry: Florida became the first state to restrict TANF cash spending on nonessential and luxury items, including theme park tickets and entertainment subscriptions—an update that’s drawing attention from families planning Disney trips. Community Food Support: No Kid Hungry Florida named 2026 “Hunger Heroes,” including Englewood’s Victoria Pipitone, highlighting summer meal packing and grab-and-go distribution to reach kids when school meals are harder to access. Local Food Culture: A feature on oysters in St. Andrews Bay traces how the shellfish shaped Indigenous life, local traditions, and today’s efforts to keep the industry thriving.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA updated a recall of Lundberg Family Farms White Jasmine Rice (2-lb bags; lots 260201MA/260202MA; best-by Feb. 1–2, 2027), distributed in Florida and 12 other states, after concerns about foreign materials. New Restaurant Openings: Dave’s Hot Chicken is planning a St. Augustine location at a former Wendy’s on U.S. Route 1, with other Northeast Florida spots already in River City Marketplace and St. Johns Town Center. Local Dining & Tourism: Clearwater Beach was named the No. 2 beach in the U.S. for 2026 by TripAdvisor (17th worldwide), highlighting its food scene and Pier 60 as tourism drivers. Community Food Access: A Veterans Ride for Rural Hunger Relief raised money for the Children’s Table rural food bank in Bronson, supporting families across north central Florida. Public Health/Healthcare Supply: Two separate recalls hit hospital IV supplies—B. Braun’s 0.9% sodium chloride (zinc oxide particulate) and Baxter’s 0.9% sodium chloride (fiberglass particulate)—both distributed nationwide. SNAP & Food Security: USDA data shows SNAP participation in Florida is down nearly 20% since July 2025, with Central Florida groups reporting more families seeking help.

Rural Hunger Relief: Veterans and community riders in Levy and Dixie counties raised money for the Children’s Table rural food bank, with organizers surprised by the turnout and volunteers helping distribute food. Community Fundraiser: Englewood Beach Waterfest is hosting a Pirate Poker Run Sept. 12, with stops at local bars and grills and an afterparty at Lighthouse Grill and Tiki Bar featuring food specials and live music. Food Safety Watch: Hospitals were told to pull recalled 0.9% sodium chloride IV bags after particulate concerns, as B. Braun and Baxter issued nationwide recalls tied to zinc-oxide or contamination risks. Tourism & Dining: Clearwater Beach earned a major TripAdvisor ranking for 2026, with locals pointing to its family-friendly attractions and restaurant scene. Local Reopening: Alva Country Diner reopened Aug. 18 under new owners after renovations, keeping favorites while adding new homemade items. Health Alerts: County health departments issued alerts after dengue cases were reported locally, reminding residents that Aedes mosquitoes can spread the virus.

Food Safety Watch: FDA upgraded a Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce recall tied to the Cyclospora outbreak to a Class I, the strongest warning level, after more than 17,000 confirmed U.S. cases since May—leaving Florida shoppers asking if lettuce is still safe. Public Health & Care: Baxter issued multiple nationwide recalls of IV saline and dextrose solutions over possible fiberglass or stainless-steel particle contamination, including shipments to Florida providers. Local Immigration Impact: In Lee County, Voices of Bonita says ICE activity is disrupting families’ rent, food and childcare, with emergency grants around $400 each; a separate report says a Fort Myers food truck worker was detained and deported. Hurricane Readiness: A Florida Today-style guide warns that delaying storm prep until advisories can drive up costs and leave families short on water, food and power solutions. Community Food & Culture: Taste of Afrikin brings African and Caribbean cuisine to North Miami as part of Miami Spice, including a “jollof wars” showdown. Food & Drink Business: Southern Tail Brewing is acquiring Orthodox Farmhouse Brewery in Goshen, expanding its farmhouse lineup. Food-Adjacent Recall/Health: A Florida man recovered after Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria tied to warm water exposure.

Food Safety Alert: The FDA upgraded the Taylor Farms de Mexico cyclospora recall to Class I, covering more than 236,000 cases of 21 iceberg lettuce and salad products distributed across at least 30 states, including Florida, with 11,000+ illnesses and multiple hospitalizations and deaths reported nationwide. State Policy & Groceries: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida will restrict Temporary Cash Assistance/EBT spending on “inappropriate” and “nonessential” items like tobacco, vaping, video games, theme park subscriptions, tattoos, and adult material—aiming to steer benefits toward essentials. Local Dining Buzz: Fuku in Coral Gables is launching a limited-edition ice cream flavor with Cry Baby Creamery inspired by its “Sweet & Spicy Sando,” while Miami Beach’s Balan’s is set to reopen on Lincoln Road Sept. 17 after years away. Industry & Culture: Taste of Afrikin returns to North Miami, spotlighting African and Caribbean cuisine with a “jollof wars” lineup. Health Watch: CDC says COVID-19 activity is increasing in 48 states, with Florida listed at moderate levels.

School Lunch Funding Shake-Up: HHS Secretary RFK Jr. announced $32M “DEPEND” grants to replace highly processed foods with “real food,” after critics say last year’s $660M cut left districts short—Florida would have received about $42.6M under the canceled Local Food for Schools program. Fast-Food Menu Push: Burger King rolls out reworked chicken nuggets and new/refined dipping sauces nationwide starting Sept. 1, aiming to fix complaints about prior nuggets. Food Safety Recall: Shanghai Ravioli Corp. recalled ~24,900 pounds of frozen Buffalo chicken products after FSIS found they were produced without required inspection. Local Food Access: Change of Pace and Elder Affairs Florida are offering USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program meals at no charge to eligible participants in Sebring. Invasive Species & Nuisance Feeding: Boca Raton banned feeding iguanas plus pigeons, rats and mice, with a $100 fine—another sign Florida is cracking down on wildlife feeding. Business Expansion: Lipman Family Farms acquired Farm Fresh, a Phoenix fresh-cut operation, to expand ready-to-eat produce distribution in the western U.S. Public Health: FDA approved a new oral targeted pancreatic cancer therapy, with Sylvester in Miami participating in the global trial.

Retail Expansion: Walmart bought 62+ acres in eastern Lee County near Lehigh Acres for nearly $24M, aiming to anchor a new store at Blackstone Corporate Park along SR 82—bringing more shopping and dining, but also traffic and noise concerns. Public Safety: A woman and her Chihuahua were found unresponsive after drowning in an Estero pool; deputies responded Aug. 26. Food Safety Alerts: USDA recalled raw Argentine beef sold in Florida and Texas due to missing import reinspection, affecting five boneless cuts from Corte Argentino USA. Dining & Community: Upper Eastside Hangout reopened in Miami’s Little River as an open-air food and cocktail garden at a historic 1937 liquor-licensed site. Local Hospitality Tie-In: Inter Miami CF and Tri-Rail launched a $10 round-trip ticket that includes a $10 food and beverage credit for fans heading to Nu Stadium. Health Watch: Florida cyclosporiasis cases rose to 486 total (as of Aug. 22), with new county-by-county figures released. Policy Impact on Food Access: Florida became the first state to restrict cash welfare purchases to “essential” items, aligning with existing limits on SNAP while targeting vapes, tattoos, and other non-essentials.

SNAP Pressure on States: States are racing to cut SNAP payment errors to avoid 2027 penalties, with Florida flagged as a major potential cost-bearer if error rates stay high. Food Labeling Fight: A Meat Institute-backed study claims reinstating mandatory country-of-origin labeling would cost over $1B a year, while critics argue the industry’s numbers ignore how imported beef is already tracked. Health & Nutrition: A new look at cinnamon’s impact on blood sugar says benefits are possible but mixed, and not a diabetes fix. Local Dining & Retail: ECP airport in Panama City is rolling out a new concessions plan with local food and beer via SSP America, while Zephyrhills welcomes Trattoria Napoli with a city grant and daily fresh pasta. Community Food Access: A new program aims to ease hunger for Northwest Florida veteran families. Marine Food Web Restoration: Edgewater begins oyster and seagrass habitat work at Veterans Memorial Park to rebuild lagoon ecosystems.

Food Safety & Recalls: FDA flagged donuts sold on Amazon for undeclared milk, warning people with milk allergies to check the Better Bakehouse “Donutful” product. Food Safety & Recalls: USDA/FSIS issued a recall for nearly 30,000 pounds of beef imported from Argentina sold in Texas and Florida after it was found without reinspection. Local Inspections: Landmark Ritz Five movie theater in Florida was shut after city code failures, including fire-alarm and emergency-lighting issues, plus a missing food license. Invasive Species: Reports say Asian swamp eels are spreading in South Florida and could be a major threat to Everglades food chains. Food & Community: A new care model in Florida links hospital patients screened for food insecurity to Feeding the Gulf Coast resources, including SNAP and nutrition education. Dining Culture: Miami Beach’s oldest dive bar, Mac’s Club Deuce, is set to turn 100 with a big block party. Business & Growth: Alachua County approved a large mixed-use farmstead community plan that includes restaurants and an on-site farm.

Wildlife & Food Supply: Florida wildlife officials are weighing the first-ever harvest rules for cownose rays, with proposed limits of two per vessel for recreational fishers and 20 per vessel for commercial operations, as concerns grow about potential population declines. Community Food Relief: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and U.S. Hunger will pack 100,000 jambalaya meals this Saturday in Orlando as a final push to distribute 1 million meals across Central Florida. Local Dining Fundraiser: Southwest Florida’s 10th annual Sizzle Dining kicks off Sept. 1 with 140 restaurants offering prix fixe deals, with $1 from each meal supporting Blessings in a Backpack SWFL. Food Safety Watch: The FDA updated details on a Lundberg Family Farms Jasmine rice recall for possible foreign materials, listing distribution that includes Florida. Hospitality & Travel: Tampa Bay is seeing a fresh wave of hotel openings and renovations, including Pendry Tampa and a Curio Collection by Hilton on the Riverwalk. Policy & Health Tech: Sen. Rick Scott is calling to block federal healthcare funds from Chinese-made medical devices, citing cybersecurity risks.

Food Prices & Policy Pressure: A new look at why grocery costs keep climbing points to tariffs, energy spikes, weather shocks, and food-safety disruptions—raising questions about whether “quick fixes” can work fast enough. Accounting & Consumer Costs: Sixteen state AGs, including Florida, accuse the Big Four of pushing climate/ESG disclosure burdens that could flow into higher prices for everyday goods. TANF/EBT Restrictions: Florida moves to restrict Temporary Cash Assistance and EBT cash for “inappropriate” non-essentials like tobacco, vaping, pornography, theme park tickets, tattoos, and video games—separate from existing SNAP limits. Hurricane-Season Food Aid: In Jefferson County, Duke Energy and partners handed out shelf-stable meal kits to seniors as a bridge during storms. Local Dining & Growth: Adega Gaucha adds new proteins to its Gourmet Table and spotlights a Saturday paella experience, while Little Greek expands with new traditional and “Express” locations in Florida. Restaurant/Community Updates: Lee County approved a 4% raise for employees amid warnings of no raises next year, and Volusia County advanced a permanent ban on large-scale data centers.

Food Safety Watch: FDA/CDC attention stays on outbreaks tied to produce, with Florida named among states affected by a multi-state salmonella and E. coli probe linked to alfalfa sprouts, plus hospitals warning patients about a “MyChart” phishing scam. Health & Nutrition: FDA cleared a Roche/Eli Lilly blood test for Alzheimer’s markers, while USF Health launched a coordinated monthly clinic for children with complex allergic conditions. Florida Food & Drink Business: Chick-fil-A rolled out a limited-time Chicken & Waffles sandwich nationwide, and Jeff’s Bagel Run is expanding with new fall openings and a pumpkin-season menu. Community & Events: Port Orange’s Rock the Park festival returns with food trucks, and Central Florida Zoo’s “Sunset at the Zoo” adds heritage programming and bites. Policy & Welfare: Gov. DeSantis announced Florida will restrict TANF cash benefits on non-essentials (including tobacco, vaping, video games, and theme park tickets), tightening what EBT can buy. Tourism: Visit Florida reported a second straight quarter dip in visitors, with inflation and backlash from Canadian travelers cited.

Food Safety Alert: The CDC says a multistate outbreak tied to alfalfa sprouts has sickened at least 55 people across 15 states, with Florida among those reporting cases; officials link illnesses to Everything Sprouts (Calco/Everything Sprouts brands) and warn of both E. coli (including STEC) and salmonella. Recall Watch: Publix expanded a recall of GreenWise frozen organic whole blueberries and mixed berries after FDA flagged E. coli risk; Florida is listed among states with confirmed illnesses. Assistance Policy & Food Access: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida will restrict TANF/Temporary Cash Assistance purchases on items like tobacco, vaping, video games, theme park tickets and other non-essentials—aiming to steer benefits to basics. SNAP Pressure: New reporting says SNAP enrollment is falling faster than expected as work requirements and paperwork burdens tighten eligibility, with Arizona seeing the steepest drop. Community Food Support: West Palm Beach’s BBQ, Brews and Blues returns Sept. 5 with food and drink vendors, while Southwest Florida’s Sizzle Dining runs all September and donates $1 per meal to Blessings in a Backpack.

Invasive Species Watch: A new Asian swamp eel has been found in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, raising fresh fears for Florida’s wetland food chains and wading birds. Food Safety Recall: Publix GreenWise frozen blueberries and mixed berries recalled after FDA flagged a Class 1 E. coli risk; the UAE says none of the affected products were imported there, and Florida/Georgia cases were reported with no deaths. SNAP Update: Florida’s August 2026 SNAP benefits follow an EBT schedule based on case-number digits, with payments running from the 1st through the 28th. Local Food Business: Florida home bakers are scaling up under the state’s cottage food law, turning kitchens into small businesses without a licensed commercial setup. Dining & Hospitality: West Palm Beach’s Mr. C Hotel & Residences reports 85%+ sales as downtown keeps shifting toward walkable, hospitality-led luxury. Community Food Culture: Arajet and Dominican Republic Tourism teamed with the Miami Marlins for Dominican Heritage Day featuring music and cuisine at loanDepot park.