Robin Safley is leaving the state Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness to take over as executive director of the Florida Association of Food Banks (FAFB).
At her new post, Safley will oversee 14 regional food banks and work with 2,500 groups across the state with more than 31,500 volunteers feeding 3.6 million people including 1.1 million children.
Safley has been active at the state Agriculture Department, including working with the state Department of Education on school lunch programs.
Marcia Conwell, the president and CEO of Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and a FAFB board member, praised Safley’s experience on Tuesday.
“Robin brings a wealth of knowledge to our organization which stems from her passion for people along with a strong ability to promote policies that benefit the community’s needs,” Conwell said.
“I am excited for the opportunity to merge my work experience and my personal passions together to help create a hunger free Florida,” said Safley. “This is truly a passion project that I will now have the opportunity to work on year round.”
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam also praised Safley as she took up her new post.
“For more than five years, Robin has aggressively tackled hunger and nutrition in Florida as the head of the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness,” Putnam said. “She has successfully managed the complex transformation of an enormous program to our department without a hiccup. Robin has drastically expanded the summer feeding program, Summer BreakSpot. Under her leadership, 15.5 million meals were served this past summer, which is nearly a 42-percent increase since the department took over the program in 2012.
“Robin has become a nationally recognized leader in school nutrition, and she is frequently sought out to speak on the Florida model,” Putnam continued. “Food banks are a critical link in feeding programs, and we are excited about continuing and strengthening this partnership with her leadership as the executive director of the Florida Association of Food Banks.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
