Contact: Office of Communications, (850) 617-7737

TALLAHASSEE – With 155 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) is once again updating consumers and business on precautionary steps to minimize coronavirus infection risk. Last week, the FDACS Division of Food Safety provided guidance to Florida food establishments on best practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In a letter sent to the Florida Retail Federation, the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, and thousands of grocery stores, markets, gas stations, convenience stores, and food manufacturing businesses that FDACS regulates, the Department advised these businesses to sanitize shopping cart and shopping basket handles, and ensure sanitization supplies are available to consumers. Commissioner Fried also shared these best practices on social media.

“As the Florida’s food safety and consumer protection agency, we’re working to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus in high-traffic areas like grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations — places that millions of Floridians visit every day,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “As confirmed cases of coronavirus increase in Florida and across the country, everything counts when it comes to limiting the spread of viruses, like sanitizing shopping carts at the store, using hand sanitizer, and washing your hands.”

“As millions of Florida consumers visit food establishments each day, it’s crucial that we work alongside these businesses to ensure the best sanitization practices are being followed. This is critical to reducing the transmission of bacterial and viral pathogens and lessen chances of spreading COVID-19,” said Dr. Matthew Curran, FDACS Director of Food Safety. “Whether in the grocery store or at the gas pump, we want to remind businesses and consumers to wipe down hard surfaces before use, and maintain clean hands with thorough hand-washing or hand-sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol content.”

The letters follow previous communications from FDACS during National Consumer Protection Week advising regulated businesses on how to mitigate spreading COVID-19.

On March 3^rd, FDACS’ Division of Food Safety reminded businesses to follow requirements (Rule 5K-4.002, Florida Administrative Code and FDA Food Code) to ensure food safety and reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, and the Division of Consumer Services notified businesses and associations of important guidelines and recommendation to protect consumers and lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Read and download all of the letters here.

Consumers and businesses with questions about food safety practices can call the Division of Food Safety at (850) 245-5520 or email [email protected]. Questions about human health-related impacts of COVID-19 should be referred to the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 center at (866) 779-6121 or [email protected].

For Retailers/Food Establishments:

FDACS is reminding these businesses of the following requirements (Rule 5K-4.002, Florida Administrative Code and FDA Food Code) to ensure food safety and reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19:

• Food preparers must keep hands and arms clean, and follow cleaning procedures including washing at least 20 seconds with hand cleaner and rinsing under warm running water.
• When to wash includes: after touching body parts; after using the restroom; after caring for animals; after coughing, sneezing, or using tissue; after using tobacco; after eating or drinking; after handling soiled equipment during food preparation; after handling raw food and working with ready to eat food; before donning gloves; and after any other activity that contaminates hands. (Chapter 2-301)
• There is required to be at least one hand washing sink (Chapter 5-203), that handwashing sink must be convenient to employees and or immediately adjacent to toilet rooms (Chapter 5-204), and handwashing supplies such as hand soap and cleanser and drying devices such as towels or heated air devices for handwashing sinks are required to be present (Chapter 6-301).

For Consumers:

 Studies have shown that human coronaviruses can persist on inanimate surfaces like plastic, glass, or metal for up to nine days. Therefore, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and FDACS recommend the following food safety tips for consumers:

• Wash your hands often when cooking, including: before, during, and after preparing any food; after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs; before eating; after touching garbage; after wiping counters or cleaning surfaces with chemicals; after touching pets, pet food, or pet treats; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Wash your hands even when wearing gloves, as contaminated gloves can spread germs to your hands when removing the gloves.
• Disinfect and dry commonly-used surfaces such as countertops and cutting boards, as dampness can help remaining viruses survive and multiply.
• Use disposable cloths or paper towels when possible, or wash reusable cloths at 140 degrees Fahrenheit after each use.
• While there is no evidence that fresh produce (or other foods) can transmit the virus, wash all fruits and vegetables under running water.

At the Gas Pump:

 Additionally, Deputy Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Mary Barzee Flores offered the following tips to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at commonly-touched gas pumps:

• Clean surfaces: Use a disinfecting wipe to clean gas pump handles and keypads, or use the wipe to handle each surface and don’t re-use the same wipe.
• Use hand sanitizer: Apply hand sanitizer on your hands after pumping gas or wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or more as recommended by the CDC.

About the FDACS Division of Food Safety: The Division of Food Safety inspects and regulates more than 40,000 grocery stores, convenience stores, markets, and food manufacturing facilities in Florida. As of March 3, the Division of Food Safety has been in communication with the majority of these food establishments, as well as the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, to share food safety practices that protect public health.

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 For Immediate Release: March 12, 2020

 The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at https://floridadisaster.biz/

 Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.

“Gathering information about the impact COVID-19 has on Florida businesses and industries will be invaluable to the state’s efforts in coordinating our response,” said Governor DeSantis. “It is important that we understand the total impact COVID-19 has on businesses to ensure that we access the resources that may be available.”

The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at https://floridadisaster.biz/. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Surveys submitted by small businesses can be used to access the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan, made available for COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at [email protected].

“Under Governor DeSantis’ direction, the state of Florida has maintained contact with our business partners throughout the state in order to develop a proactive response for COVID-19 business impacts,” said Florida DEO Executive Director Ken Lawson. “We need feedback from all Florida businesses to provide comprehensive information about the impacts of COVID-19 to our partners at the federal level.”

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a State of Emergency for COVID-19 and directed the Florida Division of Emergency Management to activate the Florida Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to a Level II, to coordinate the state’s response to COVID-19. Last week, the governor issued Executive Order 20-51 directing the State Surgeon General to declare a public health emergency.

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the state’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling (866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours per day. Inquiries may also be emailed to [email protected].

Contact: (850) 717-9282; [email protected]

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Contact Information: ([email protected])

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of EPA-registered disinfectant products that have qualified for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
“Using the correct disinfectant is an important part of preventing and reducing the spread of illnesses along with other critical aspects such as hand washing,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “There is no higher priority for the Trump Administration than protecting the health and safety of Americans. EPA is providing this important information in a public and transparent manner on disinfectant products to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

Products appearing on EPA’s list registered disinfectant products have qualified for use against COVID-19 through the agency’s Emerging Viral Pathogen program. This program allows product manufacturers to provide EPA with data, even in advance of an outbreak, that shows their products are effective against harder-to-kill viruses than SARS-CoV-2. It also allows additional communications intended to inform the public about the utility of these products against the emerging pathogen in the most expeditious manner.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product. Consumers using these disinfectants on an enveloped emerging virus should follow the directions for use on the product’s master label, paying close attention to the contact time for the product on the treated surface (i.e., how long the disinfectant should remain on the surface).

To view the list of EPA-registered disinfectant products, visit https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

Background:
EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance was developed and finalized in 2016 to allow for a rapid response in the event of an emerging viral pathogen outbreak. It was triggered for the first time ever for SARS-CoV-2 on January 29, 2020. The guidance outlines a voluntary, pre-approval process for making emerging viral pathogens claims. In the event of an outbreak, companies with pre-approved products can make off-label claims (for example in technical literature, non-label-related websites, and social media) for use against the outbreak virus.

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.

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ORLANDO – On March 7 and 8, more than 400 culinary students, representing 50 Florida high schools, gathered at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando to compete in the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation’s (FRLAEF) 20^th Annual ProStart Team Competitions. Throughout the weekend, students competed in categories such as Culinary, Edible Creations, Management, and Waiter’s Relay.

“During the school year, students train in their respective crafts, eagerly prepping for the annual state competition,” says Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation. “During the competition, they were challenged to present their restaurant skills by creating detailed culinary dishes, crafting food displays made of fruit, showcasing restaurant proposals, and setting tables in a fun game of Waiter’s Relay. The students were rock stars and brought high quality work to the table, literally.”

The last event of the Florida competition was the Salute to Excellence dinner, where students were awarded for their respective competition categories. High school students also received scholarships from the FRLAEF and event sponsors, Johnson & Wales University, Keiser University, Culinary Institute of America, Culinary Institute of Virginia and Sullivan University. Together, $813,000 worth of scholarships were awarded.

2020 FLORIDA PROSTART TEAM COMPETITION WINNERS: 

Overall:

1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – East Ridge High School
3rd Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
4th Place – John A Ferguson High School
5th Place TIE – Eastside High School

5th Place TIE – Strawberry Crest High School

Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition:

1st Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
2nd Place – East Ridge High School
3rd Place – JP Taravella High School
4th Place – Strawberry Crest High School
5th Place – John A. Ferguson High School

Rosen College at UCF Management Competition:

1st Place – East Ridge High School
2nd Place – Eastside High School
3rd Place – Northeast High School
4th Place – Strawberry Crest High School
5th Place – Martin County High School

Keiser University Edible Centerpiece:

1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – Tarpon Springs High School
3rd Place – John A. Ferguson High School
4th Place – Hialeah Gardens High School
5th Place – South Lake High School

Waiter’s Relay:

1st Place – JP Taravella High School
2nd Place – Coral Gables High School
3rd Place – Chipley High School
4th Place – John A. Ferguson High School
5th Place – Ridgeview High School

ProStart is a nationwide, high school career program educating nearly 150,000 Florida students in culinary arts and restaurant management skills. ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and sets a high standard of excellence for the industry’s next generation of leaders. Yearly, students compete on state and nation-wide levels to showcase skills learnt in their classroom kitchens.

For more information about ProStart or FRLA’s Educational Foundation, visit our webpage or contact Director Laura Rumer at [email protected].

 About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of its membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCES TWO PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES IN FLORIDA

Risk to Florida Public Remains Low

Contact: Communications Office: [email protected];  (850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health (Department) has announced there are two presumptive positive cases of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Florida. Both individuals remain in isolation at this time. Despite these cases in Florida, the overall immediate threat to the public remains low.

Governor Ron DeSantis said, “I have been working with federal partners and our Department of Health to ensure that communities are ready to handle the challenges presented by COVID-19. The dedicated professionals at our county health departments, as well as those working at local medical providers, are well equipped to address these and future cases. State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees has taken appropriate, decisive action to help affect the best possible outcomes, and I will continue directing our state agencies to do whatever is necessary to prioritize the health and well-being of Florida residents.”

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez said, “Florida is a national leader in public health, and that quickly became evident as soon as we received information regarding presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in our state. Public health teams from our Department of Health have already begun engaging with the impacted individuals and are quickly working towards identifying and contacting everyone who may be potentially affected by this virus. Thanks to the extensive preparations and tireless work the Department’s staff has been undertaking since information regarding COVID-19 became available in early January, our county health departments, medical providers and all other partners in public health are well prepared to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees said, “This is the scenario that we prepare for every day in public health. The Department is moving forward with the appropriate plans, and we are working directly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local medical providers to ensure these individuals receive the proper treatment and that anyone who has come into contact with them is following the necessary protocols, limiting or stopping any further spread. Thanks to Florida’s integrated public health system, we have been able to proactively engage and plan with our public health partners at every level, enabling us to take these important steps in a very expeditious manner. Our epidemiological teams are among the best in the nation, and they are right now aggressively pursuing every potential lead during these critical early moments of this outbreak in Florida.”

The first patient is an adult Manatee county resident without travel history to countries identified for restricted travel by the CDC. This person did seek health care, is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials. The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the patient, their close contacts and health care providers to isolate and monitor persons who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and implement testing of anyone who may develop COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

The second patient is an adult resident of Hillsborough county with a history of travel to Italy. This person is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials.

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure. Most people recover from the COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems and diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. As a reminder, the Department always recommends everyday preventive actions to help impede the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
• Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing;
– If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

The CDC does not recommend that asymptomatic, healthy people wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

A person that experiences a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and any other destination under CDC travel advisory should call ahead to their health care provider and local county health department (CHD) and mention their recent travel or close contact.

If a person has had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area or been in contact with a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, they should call ahead to a health care professional and the county health department. The health care professional will work with the Department to determine if the person should be tested for COVID-19.

Please visit the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage at www.FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19. This remains the best and most up-to-date resource for information and guidance regarding COVID-19 in Florida.

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Department’s dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-866-779-6121 or emailing [email protected]. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. In addition, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/all-county-locations.html to locate and obtain contact information for your local CHD. The CDC also has a website with information related to COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

About the Florida Department of Health The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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[Jacksonville, Fla] Last night, 400+ people gathered at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine for the Northeast Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (FRLA) 12^th Annual ROSE Awards. The ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards, which recognize front-line hospitality champions in the region, honored 26 individuals at this year’s event. Area hotels and restaurants nominated more than 100 workers from more than 37 different companies to acknowledge those making a difference in Northeast Florida’s hospitality community. Last night’s winners each received a trophy, gift cards from local businesses, and recognition from both industry peers and industry leadership.

“These incredible men and women represent just a small fraction of the outstanding hospitality employees in Northeast Florida,” said Nicole Chapman, Regional Director for FRLA and the event’s organizer. “Of more than 60,000 hospitality workers in our region, these nominees are true ambassadors to Northeast Florida and our community. We are thrilled to honor them and their hard work.”

The 2020 ROSE Award winners are:

President’s Award: Abdel Adili, Omni Jacksonville Hotel & Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Hospitality Hero: Greg Savage, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Administrative Assistant: Farrah Jones, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Allied Member Spotlight: George ‘Jaime’ Stadtfeld, Walmart San Jose
Banquets: Sayed Alamy, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Bartender / Mixologist: Danny Welsh, One Ocean Resort & Spa
Behind the Scenes: Andrews Asare, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Culinary Service – Chef / Cook Hotel: Conchita Besarra-Spicer, Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Culinary Service – Chef/Cook Restaurant: Peter Zhang, House of Leaf & Bean
Customer Service – Concierge, Recreation, Spa: Amanda Clark, Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Customer Service – Event Services: Robert N. Kihara, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Customer Service – Tourism Ambassador: Robyn Jackson, Visit Jacksonville
Food & Beverage – Support: Todd Fuger, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Guest Service – Front Desk, Full-Service Hotel: Nichole Storch, Renaissance Resort
Guest Service – Front Desk, Select Service Hotel: Jacqueline McGowan, Seaside Amelia Inn
Guest Service – Housekeeping, Full-Service Hotel: John Yongao, Omni Jacksonville Hotel
Guest Service – Housekeeping, Select Service Hotel: Derick Brown, Flagler Inn
Guest Service – Laundry: Sharon Books, DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront
Guest Service – Maintenance / Engineer: Mary Jane Blair, Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Guest Service – Security:  Kathy Jeffers, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Guest Service – Valet / Bell Attendant: Brian Pepitone, DoubleTree Jacksonville Riverfront
Server – Restaurant, Casual Dining: Nina Britten, Sunset Grille
Server – Restaurant, Fine Dining: Scott Kellog, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Server – Restaurant, Hotel: Ethan Thomas and Rebecca Gardner, Courtyard by Marriott Mayo Clinic Campus/Beaches
Restaurant – Quick Service: Ruby Martell, Culver’s of Middleburg
Transportation – Airport, Ground & Water: Candace Van Kalleveen, East Coast Transportation & Limousine

For more information about the ROSE Awards, contact FRLA Northeast Chapter Regional Director Nicole Chapman at 904-574-2259 or [email protected].

Students partnered with famous chefs to help prepare top-tier culinary dishes during star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief

[Hollywood, Fla] Over 100 Florida ProStart students and their teachers had the opportunity to volunteer and support Saturday night’s Taste of the NFL, a star-studded fundraiser to fight hunger relief the night before the Super Bowl.

Students got their own real-world taste of working a high-profile event, held at the Diplomat Beach Resort in South Florida, where they were assigned to renowned chefs to set up and prepare food, serve tasting plates and assist in cleanup. Over 30 food stations were hosted by each NFL team and featured a current NFL Player, Hall of Famer or Legend.

The students are enrolled in ProStart®, a high school career and technical education program created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) focused on culinary arts and restaurant management. The program is run at the state level by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA).

“This has been one of the best experiences of my life,” said Jordyn Wilson, ProStart student from Marathon High School located in the Florida Keys. Wilson worked at the Oakland Raiders table with Chef Tonya Holland, cookbook author and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, CA, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Holland has also appeared on Top Chef.

“The Taste of the NFL provided Florida’s ProStart students with an amazing opportunity to participate in an amazing event for a wonderful cause, which deepened their appreciation and excitement for the industry,” said Laura Rumer, Director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation. “By the time the night was over, several students received job offers so they can continue their careers. We appreciate the opportunity to be involved and look forward to working with the Taste of the NFL on the 2021 event.” 

Participating high schools included:

1. Hialeah Gardens High School
2. John A. Ferguson Senior High School
3. Miami Sunset Senior High School
4. Nova High School
5. Coral Springs High School
6. Atlantic Technical High School
7. Martin County High School
8. Melbourne High School
9. Winter Springs High School
10. Marathon High School

 “This will be a night that I will never forget,” said Aiden Della Costa, ProStart student from Melbourne High School who worked at the New York Giants table with Chef Brenton Lee, executive chef at Tribeca Grill in New York City.

ProStart serves nearly 150,000 students across the country, and the state of Florida alone accounts for over 20 percent of those students. ProStart offers students a platform to discover new interests and talents through a curriculum that includes all facets of culinary arts and restaurant management, and sets a high standard of excellence for the industry’s next generation of leaders.

A key component of the program includes employment opportunities for students while enrolled and/or once they graduate, especially in Florida, where tourism is one of the state’s top economic drivers. Last year, restaurant and foodservice jobs accounted for 12 percent of employment across the state.

Taste of the NFL started in the Twin Cities in 1992 when Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl for the first time. Each year, the event coincides with the big game in the hosting city. Since its inception, Taste of the NFL has donated $25 million to food banks and nonprofit organizations in the 32 NFL cities.

Learn more about ProStart in Florida and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association here.
Learn more about the Taste of the NFL and the Kick Hunger Challenge here.

There is a pervasive evil that has infiltrated our communities. It is an evil so vile that it deprives our society’s most vulnerable of their freedom, independence, and dreams.

This evil is human trafficking. It targets helpless individuals during their most desperate moments by breaking their spirit and instilling fear and shame. It is also a scourge that preys on our youth, robbing them of their childhood innocence and stripping them of their dignity. Tragically, the public is often unaware of its existence allowing it to thrive globally and creep into our nation’s backyard.

Human trafficking is the second-largest illicit industry and is the world’s fastest-growing criminal enterprise, earning exploiters upwards of $150 billion. Over 20 million victims are coerced into unthinkable situations that range from prostitution to drug addiction to forced labor.

With all eyes this weekend on Miami for Super Bowl LIV, this crime occurring “in the shadows” is all too real.  Sporting events of this magnitude often come with an uptick in trafficking activity and a subsequent increase in arrests.  According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 169 perpetrators were arrested as part of an FBI Operation into sex trafficking ahead of the 2019 Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta.

Florida has so much to offer. Beautiful beaches and bustling nightlife make our state a mecca for visitors from every corner of the globe. Unfortunately, alongside the glitz and glamour comes an ugly underworld of human trafficking.

The Sunshine State ranks number 3 in calls to the national hotline. South Florida is the third-busiest region for human trafficking, as recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ reports the average age of most first time victims of human trafficking range between 12 and 14. And because of location and multiple major interstate highways, international seaports and airports, Miami and Tampa are leading in trafficking incidences.

But now, for the first time ever, the Super Bowl has partnered with state and local agencies to launch a public awareness campaign to shed light on a crime that has lurked in the dark for decades. And the only way for darkness to cease to exist is to be exposed to light.  Thus, awareness must be at the forefront of eradicating human trafficking once and for all. And with increasing awareness, each day more and more victims of trafficking are breaking free from the bonds of this treacherous evil.

Take Christa Hicks for example. Raised by a drug-addicted mother, Christa, herself, was a victim of rape at the young age of 13 and found herself living on the streets during her teen years. Desperate for someone to provide solace, she fell prey to a man that would exploit her and hold her against her will for several years. She endured sexual exploitation, numerous rapes and became addicted to drugs. After being arrested and incarcerated, she participated in a life-changing program called Faith Farm.

Today, Hicks has risen out of the grips of poverty, sex trafficking, and drug addiction, to aid victims just like her. She is a certified clinical trauma professional and the Executive Director of Anti-Trafficking at One More Child, a nonprofit division of the Lakeland-based Florida Baptist Children’s Homes. Hicks and so many recovering victims epitomize strength, resilience, healing, and hope.

Florida has chosen to face this demon head-on. From supporting survivors with essential services to additional training of law enforcement and medical personnel, the state continues to push forward in its battle against trafficking in support of Christa and countless others who share her story.

Additionally, our state has engaged in valuable private sector partnerships, such as the Truckers Association, The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and UBER in order to focus on dealing with this issue in a multi-faceted manner.

The Sunshine State is also working with the Department of Health to ensure staff has the training and resources to identify and screen victims in order to get them the help they need. And furthermore, a child trafficking prevention education curriculum has been adopted in grades K-12 on prevention and awareness in a developmentally appropriate manner. All these efforts are examples of Florida’s leadership on this issue.

On Sunday, when the smoke clears, the Lombardi trophy has been awarded, the message will reverberate— Florida is closed for business as it relates to human trafficking and we will not rest until we eradicate this evil from our communities because human beings are not for sale.

Jeanette Nuñez is the first Hispanic woman Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida, and a former Representative of the Florida House. She serves on the Statewide Human Trafficking Council and is a member of the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force for Super Bowl LIV