Recently, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida hosted its 2026 Partner Network Conference at East Coast Believers Church in Oviedo. The event brought together feeding partners from across the seven-county network to share insights, knowledge and experiences in their collective mission to combat food insecurity. These partners represent a wide range of organizations, from large nonprofit organizations to faith-based food pantries, each bringing unique strengths and approaches to serving neighbors facing hunger. By fostering collaboration among such a diverse group, the conference celebrated the important role every partner plays in addressing hunger across Central Florida.
The theme this year was “Second Harvest University,” and each feeding partner was equipped with a syllabus.
The day kicked off with a pep rally complete with Second Harvest cheerleaders and a roll call by county to get everyone energized for the day, followed by morning assembly, orientation and home room, where partners could engage with each other on issues according to their type of operation, such as partners in operation for less than one year, or partners seeking ways to expand and offer more services.
Colette McLeod delivered a keynote address where she led attendees through a reflective exercise on the reason they said yes to this work. During her presentation, each person had the chance to share at their tables about how they got started in their role and what keeps them coming back day after day.
During the lunch break, Plate Above Catering served a Mexican feast including tacos, fried plantains and churros. Resource tables were available for information on legal services, nutrition education, school partnerships, workforce development and more.
After lunch, attendees could choose from a variety of offerings in the course catalog, including lessons in economics, operations, marketing, humanities and leadership.
The day ended with a graduation ceremony and special recognition for outstanding partners in each county. Each award recognized the unique contributions these organizations make in the fight against hunger and inspired others to continue strengthening their impact.
Before dismissal, Whirlpool’s Feel Good Fridge Program gave each partner in attendance a free microwave to spruce up their volunteer or staff breakroom or to give to a neighbor who can use it for food preparation.
Overall, Second Harvest University was a resounding success, bringing together individuals and organizations passionate about fighting hunger and helping neighbors thrive.
