Second Harvest Food Bank volunteers collect food donations from exhibitors at the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo event in October 2022.

During this year’s season of giving, the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is thankful for its sustainability-centered client partnerships that have produced a positive impact on local nonprofit organizations.

Most recently, two of its clients collectively donated nearly 200,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

At the beginning of October, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) contributed 3,588 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank. Later that month, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)’s Global Produce and Floral Show set aside 196,285 pounds of food for the organization.

“As one of the largest convention centers in the U.S., we consistently empower our clients to implement sustainable initiatives,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of IFPA and FNCE to prioritize these food donations, creating a significant impact on our local community.”

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 625 local non-profit feeding programs in seven Central Florida counties, including Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia and Marion.

During the Center’s 2020-2021 fiscal year, nearly $220,000 worth of food and merchandise, including approximately 13,725 pounds of food, were donated to local organizations, including Great Oaks Village, Second Food Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Libby’s Legacy, United Against Poverty, One Heart for Women and Children, and Orange County Public Schools.

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About the Orange County Convention Center

The award-winning Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit www.occc.net.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida (SHFBCF)

SHFBCF is a member of Feeding America – the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFBCF secures and distributes food and grocery products to more than 625 local nonprofit feeding partners throughout Central Florida. Through the help of food and financial donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributes 300,000 meals every day to a seven-county service area. Feeding neighbors facing hunger is only the beginning. By investing in job training programs, advocating for access to nutritious foods, and inspiring our community to get involved, SHFBCF is leaning into the root causes of hunger and helping our neighbors thrive. With support from the Central Florida community, Second Harvest Food Bank is feeding inspiration, change, achievement, health — and families facing hunger. To learn more about SHFBCF, visit www.FeedHopeNow.org.