Eat Local Lee
County Farm Map
Download the FREE List!
Help Support Lee County School
& Community Gardens!
Connecting Families with Locally Produced Food
Thank you for your support as we look forward to our third edition of the Eat Local Lee County Food Guide. This year, there are some exciting changes to announce.
First, is our new partnership with the Lee County Health Department and Lee County Schools to distribute the map and raise awareness about new ways to access fresh, locally grown produce. We will again work closely with the University of Florida’s Extension Office and Family Nutrition Program to assist in their goals of community collaboration and fresh, healthy food access.
Second, we are switching out our listings of breweries and distilleries with community and school gardens for the PDF mobile version of the map listings. Our fabulous craft beverage producers will still be listed and promoted via the app and website, but the change was necessary to allow for the addition of community and school gardens to be distributed to students.
Finally, we are planning to send an email with the updated list to all the students at Lee County schools! We are so pleased to be able to provide information and incentives to utilize Fresh Access Bucks* to those using SNAP/EBT benefits.
The best news of all? It is still FREE to access the list and the map!
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We look forward to another amazing year linking producers and consumers in Lee County.
“Pro futuro cibum” ~ For the future of food!
* Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) is a USDA funded statewide nutrition incentive program that encourages SNAP recipients to redeem their benefits at farmers markets, produce stands, CSAs and mobile markets to purchase healthy produce directly from Florida farmers. FAB increases the purchasing power of SNAP participants by providing a one-to-one match for Florida grown fruits and vegetables up to $40. For example, a SNAP cardholder who spends $40 of their benefits receives an additional $40 to purchase more fresh, local produce.
Fresh Access Bucks has over 50 outlets across the state, but is specifically looking to add new outlets in southwest Florida.
Already accepting SNAP and interested in Fresh Access Bucks? Fill out our application here: https://www.feedingflorida.org/cms/resources/blog/fresh-access-bucks-application.pdf
Need assistance accepting SNAP at your farm, market, farmstand or CSA? Find more information here: https://www.feedingflorida.org/food-access/fresh-access-bucks/snap-technical-support
Feel free to contact Heather Henderson with Fresh Access Bucks for more information at heather@feedingflorida.org.
Our Mission
Eat Local Lee supports the creation of food pathways by linking local producers to consumers through the establishment of urban food hubs, promoting social enterprise and restaurants that incorporate local, sustainable, seasonal food into their menus and the bringing together of institutions, non profit and government entities to provide fresh, local and fair food for everyone.
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As a division of ICARE, the Institute for Culinary Awareness, Research & Education (www.icare4food.org), a registered 501c3, the Eat Local Lee County Farm Map provides a comprehensive and accurate guide to all the farms in Lee County that are open to the public. The map offers a listing of farms, farmers markets, roadside stands, U-pick and local honey producers within Lee County, Florida. The demand for local food is growing and this is an opportunity to offer the rapidly expanding segment of agritourism and culinary tourism to the area.
ICARE, the Institute for Culinary Awareness, Research & Education, is an established local food advocate, having created the curriculum currently being used by Goodwill Industries in Pine Manor to provide free classes to those seeking to enter the culinary industry. Established in 2012, ICARE has partnered with the Veteran's Foundation, the Renaissance Academy, the Lee County VCB and others to promote the benefits of understanding culinary arts, agriculture and nutrition.
"Pro Futuro Cibum"
for the future of food
