AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Alert: USDA issued a Class I recall of 1,513 pounds of ready-to-eat Italian pork guanciale (pork jowl) after Listeria monocytogenes was found in a routine import test; products were distributed by Prime Line Distributors (Ft. Lauderdale) and Ferrarini USA, with best-if-used-by May 16, 2027 and lot 263311US. Local Dining Buzz: Downtown Miami welcomed Pho Nam, a Vietnamese noodle shop from chef Tam Pham and sommelier Harrison Ramhofer, leaning into slow-simmered broths, Vietnamese coffee, and classic dishes like pho, bánh xèo, and bánh tráng nướng. Community & Hunger: A new report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meals in 2026, highlighting how states reach students with lunch and breakfast access. Events in Florida: Big Taste returns to Martin County Oct. 6 with tastings from 20+ local restaurants and beverage partners to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Retail Watch: Costco plans additional warehouse openings across the U.S. and Canada, including new locations in the coming months.

Food Safety Alerts: USDA ordered a recall of 1,500+ pounds of ready-to-eat Italian pork guanciale/jowl products after routine testing found possible Listeria contamination; the affected items were distributed by Prime Line Distributors (Fort Lauderdale) and Ferrarini USA (Hoboken) and were shipped to multiple states, with Florida included. More Recall News: FDA also reported an expanded Walmart frozen-berry recall tied to an ongoing E. coli outbreak; Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend bags in 16 states (including Florida) are affected, with no illnesses linked to the specific added lot yet. Local Hunger Relief: Florida’s Palm Beach County Food Bank and the Kravis Center are teaming up for a Sept. 15 “Pack to Give Back” drive aiming to pack 300,000 meals for food-insecure residents. Business & Industry: Whataburger confirmed 17 new openings this fall, including two Florida locations in Fort Myers and Estero. Community & Food Access: Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s antitrust settlement with major egg producers is sending 270,000 eggs to a North Carolina food bank—another reminder of how legal actions can quickly translate into groceries for families.

Food Safety Alert: USDA issued a Class I recall for about 1,513 pounds of imported Italian ready-to-eat pork guanciale after a lab test found possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination; Prime Line Distributors (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and Ferrarini USA (Hoboken, NJ) are pulling specific lot 263311US items with best if used by 05.16.27, shipped to multiple states including Florida. Local Dining & Community: In Ruskin, The Local Brew Company is opening a compact neighborhood concept that blends on-site craft brewing and coffee with an automated kitchen and a community-first vibe. Restaurant Scene: On Fort Myers Beach, Lani Kai Island Resort remodeled its sixth-floor Island View into the Island View Sports Bar, pairing Gulf views with game-day food and big-screen sports. Charity Food Event: Lakeland’s Academy Prep Center is gearing up for Cookin’ for Kids on Sept. 12, a Rotary vs. Kiwanis cooking showdown benefiting student scholarships. Consumer Watch: A Florida creator says she found a spider baked into a Pizza Hut pizza crust, prompting an inspection.

Food Safety Recall: USDA issued a Class I recall for about 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat Italian pork guanciale (pork jowl) after Listeria monocytogenes was found in a routine lab test; the product was distributed to Florida and seven other states, with lot 263311US and a best-if-used-by date of 05.16.27. Health Insurance & Breast Care: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield reversed course on coverage for synthetic surgical mesh used in breast reconstruction, now calling certain meshes “medically necessary” after additional studies—following a year-long investigation into denials. Local Enforcement: Florida DBPR inspectors found major sanitation problems at multiple South Florida eateries, including rodent droppings, roaches, flies landing on food, unsafe holding temperatures, and handwashing failures; several were ordered shut for cleanup before reopening. Community Food Support: Community Cooperative launched “Saucy September,” asking for shelf-stable sauces, spices, and condiments to boost emergency meal options for Southwest Florida families.

Food Safety Recall: Prime Line Distributors and Ferrarini USA are recalling 1,513 pounds of ready-to-eat Italian pork jowls (guanciale) due to possible Listeria contamination, with specific lot and “best if use by” dates tied to the affected packages. Produce & Outbreak Watch: Florida health officials are tracking a Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, with more than 400 cases reported in the state. E. coli Alerts: Walmart frozen berries are again in the spotlight as an E. coli-related recall expands to Great Value organic triple berry blend in 16 states, including Florida, as a precaution. Local Dining & Community: Fort Myers Beach launched its first Labor Day tradition, Bash on the Bay, bringing live music, food, drinks, and vendors to Matanzas on the Bay. Hospitality & Travel Disruption: A Miami International Airport cargo plane crash diverted flights to Fort Myers, leaving travelers facing major schedule and lodging decisions. Workforce & Health Care: A Supreme Court shift threatens work authorization for thousands of Haitian health care workers in Florida, raising alarms about staffing shortages for seniors.

Food Safety Alerts: Florida health officials say more than 400 people have been diagnosed with Cyclospora, tied to recalled iceberg lettuce, with guidance urging consumers to check for removed products. Recall Watch: Walmart frozen berries are back in the spotlight as an E. coli O145 outbreak recall expands to Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states, including Florida; the FDA notes no illnesses linked to this specific product so far, but warns items may still be in freezers. Local Food Security: Gainesville’s Bread of the Mighty received 33,800 pounds of shelf-stable food from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, highlighting ongoing food insecurity in Alachua County. Campus Dining Policy: A Florida judge’s ruling and UF’s handling of Krishna lunches are driving fresh debate over on-campus food operations and safety decisions. Community Dining Resilience: A Tallahassee-area cafe reopens in Havana after lease troubles, adding soul and comfort food for a rallying local crowd.

New Openings & Local Dining: Four fast-casual spots opened in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, adding to a busy Southwest Florida dining stretch. Restaurant Spotlight: Mervis’ Cafe and Grille in Fort Pierce keeps Cuban tradition alive with decades-old recipes, plus a small on-site U.S. Post Office for customers. Food Safety & Inspections: Palmer Legends Country Club in The Villages faced a follow-up health inspection after 16 violations, including unsafe cold-holding temperatures and raw scallops stored above cheese. Policy & Hemp Retail: A federal continuing resolution delays most upcoming hemp restrictions, giving Florida retailers a short-term reprieve on THC products. Hospitality & Travel: Disney World’s Food and Wine Classic adds a new James Beard chef tasting event with limited tickets, while Norwegian’s Great Stirrup Cay debuts its Great Tides Waterpark. Community Events: Jacksonville’s Third Thursday Sip & Stroll returns Sept. 17 with food trucks, live music, and a temporary Riverwalk footprint shift.

Cruise Perks in Florida’s Orbit: Margaritaville at Sea is upgrading its casino program—starting Oct. 1, Gold and Platinum members get stateroom welcome gifts, and top Platinum players can bring a friend in an extra Oceanview room at no added cost. Local Food & Fun: Jacksonville’s Third Thursday Sip & Stroll returns Sept. 17 on the Southbank Riverwalk (temporarily shifted due to construction), with live music, food trucks, and riverside bars. Public Safety & Food-Adjacent Headlines: Two former “Alligator Alcatraz” guards face misdemeanor battery charges tied to an alleged Jan. 25 detainee incident; the Everglades detention center closed in July. Food Retail Culture: A roundup spotlights Publix as a Florida grocery institution, including what shoppers buy on every visit. Health & Outdoor Crime: Palm Beach deputies arrested a man for allegedly harvesting 500 pounds of saw palmetto berries without permission at Hypoluxo Scrub. Travel Deals: National Cheese Pizza Day brings pizza discounts nationwide, timed with Labor Day weekend.

Food Safety: Walmart expanded its frozen-berry recall tied to E. coli, adding Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states including Florida; no illnesses reported for this specific product, but the supplier is linked to the broader outbreak. Public Health: Yale research estimates household air conditioning prevents about 5,267 heat-related deaths nationwide each year, with extra cooling beyond moderate use not saving more lives. Community & Food Access: Florida’s AG says a price-fixing egg settlement is sending 5.6 million free eggs to food banks statewide, including Feeding South Florida and the Treasure Coast Foodbank. Local Dining: Miami restaurants are leaning into fall flavors with pumpkin twists—like Doma’s pumpkin-forward dishes and cocktails and Latin Cafe 2000’s “Calabaza Calabaza” lineup. Local Business: Brewlando added two lighter-bodied Brew-CF beers for UCF game days, continuing its craft-beer partnership with UCF Athletics. Sustainability: Waste Management hosted a tour of its $90M recycling facility in Pembroke Pines, highlighting why “clean” recyclables matter.

Food Safety Recall: The FDA says an E. coli outbreak tied to frozen berries has now sickened 17 people, with cases reported in Georgia and Florida; Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz, UPC 7874211226, use-by Feb. 9, 2028) is among the latest recalled items, while Publix previously pulled GreenWise organic whole blueberries and mixed berries. Public Health Alerts: Florida health officials report a 4th death from Vibrio infection, with 20 confirmed cases statewide in 2026, urging residents to protect cuts when swimming in warm lake and brackish waters. Local Dining & Business: Southwest Florida continues to lose restaurants, with multiple closures including Gulyas-Factory and Amy’s Winehouse in Cape Coral. Industry & Consumer Trends: A Florida med spa safety guide cites search demand showing laser hair removal as a top treatment interest in the state. Community & Giving: Northeast Florida’s 904 Day spotlights ways to volunteer and donate through United Way.

Food Safety Recall: Walmart’s Great Value frozen berry blend is being recalled in 16 states, including Florida, after an E. coli O145 outbreak tied to imported frozen blueberries; FDA says the affected product (UPC 7874211226, lot 6040 01-6, best-by Feb. 9, 2028) may still be in freezers, so don’t eat it. Food Insecurity Relief: Community Cooperative published its September 2026 Mobile Food Pantry schedule across Southwest Florida, listing free grocery stops from Sept. 8 through Sept. 22 (including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers, and Lehigh Acres). Local Food & Community Giving: Cocoa-based Southeast Petro is teaming with Shell’s 2026 Giving Pump to support Brevard County children and families via Friends of Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard and The Children’s Hunger Project, running Sept. 1–Oct. 31 at 75 participating stations. Industry & Ingredients: Mane is expanding its citrus and beverage capabilities by acquiring U.S. citrus ingredient supplier Cvista, with a new Citrus and Beverage Center of Excellence in Riverview, Florida. Community Dining Spotlight: Cocoa Beach’s Tiny Turtle is collecting donations for Matthew’s Hope, adding a bar-area goods drive as it rebuilds after a summer fire. Health Alerts: Brevard County issued warnings for West Nile virus and rabies after sentinel chickens tested positive and a raccoon in Melbourne confirmed rabies.

Food Safety Alerts: FDA expanded a multistate E. coli recall tied to frozen berries, adding Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (UPC 7874211226; best-if-used-by Feb. 9, 2028) sold in 16 states including Florida, after earlier Publix GreenWise recalls linked to illnesses. Consumer Watch: A Florida Atlantic University expert says the surge of recent recalls can feel scary, but outbreaks and recalls aren’t necessarily more common than before—just more visible. Price Relief for Families: Florida will receive 5.67 million Grade A eggs statewide via food banks and pantries as part of a national settlement over alleged egg price manipulation, with deliveries already underway. Local Dining & Community: Southwest Florida’s Sizzle Dining returns for its 10th year in September with 140 participating restaurants in Lee and Collier counties, donating $1 per meal to Blessings in a Backpack. Hospitality Industry Notes: Universal Orlando warned guests about early park closings during Halloween Horror Nights dates, affecting regular ticket holders’ evening plans.

Coffee From Florida: UF researchers are testing whether arabica can be grown in South Florida, aiming for a future cultivated, artisanal product as climate change threatens coffee land. Eggs for Families: Florida AG James Uthmeier says 5.7 million eggs from a multistate price-fixing settlement are being delivered to food banks across all 67 counties. Local Dining Expansion: Grimaldi’s Pizzeria plans a Sarasota-area expansion, bringing its coal-fired, brick-oven style to Southwest Florida. Food Security & Community: A nonprofit laundry program (born in Florida) is expanding free laundry support to ease families’ tradeoffs between groceries and clean clothes. Taco Festival: Southwest Florida’s inaugural Tacos & Treats Festival hits Fort Myers Sept. 5, with proceeds benefiting My Warrior’s Place. Conservation at Home: Audubon Western Everglades highlights how landscaping choices outside protected areas can affect water quality and wildlife.

Campus Dining Expansion: Brooklyn Water Bagel opened its first campus location at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, partnering with Chartwells Higher Education and rolling out breakfast, coffee, lunch, and catering for students and faculty. Military Food Growth: Little Caesars plans four new locations on U.S. Navy installations, building on its earlier Pearl Harbor opening and its Veterans franchise program. Local Utility Fight: St. Petersburg groups launched a petition push to put a city-owned electric utility measure on the ballot, aiming to escape Duke Energy Florida rate hikes. Restaurant/Brand Funding: Former Krispy Kreme president Maria Rivera launched RC Hospitality Group in Tampa to help early-stage, founder-led restaurant concepts—especially women and minority operators—access growth capital. Food Affordability via Antitrust: Florida will receive 5.67 million eggs for food banks from a nationwide egg price-fixing settlement, distributed through Feeding Florida across all 67 counties. Industry & Safety Watch: Florida Fish and Wildlife rescued a struggling American oystercatcher fledgling in Tampa Bay, while broader food-service news included McDonald’s bringing back Spicy Chicken McNuggets for a limited run.

New Entertainment & Dining: Launch Family Entertainment is set to open a 31,400-square-foot complex in Pensacola on Oct. 16, adding attractions plus on-site food and social experiences at 8102 N. Davis Highway in Ferry Pass Plaza. Food Safety Recall: Hodo, Inc. recalled more than 10,000 cases of Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu in 29 states after testing found possible ink migration from printed packaging. Local Food & Community: Two Chicks Moving partnered with Move For Hunger to collect pantry donations and deliver them to Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, supporting multiple Cape Coral agencies. Health & Consumer Caution: A Florida International University study found popular smartwatches can overestimate workout calories by about 15% to 25%, with bigger errors as body fat increases. Food Industry Spotlight: Miami Kosher Supermarket marked more than a decade serving South Florida with kosher groceries and fresh options. Public Safety: Florida AG announced charges against two women accused of yearslong child abuse in a “rolling dungeon” semi-truck.

Beef Prices vs. Florida Farmers: The Trump administration is expanding lower-tariff imports of lean beef trimmings, aiming to cut grocery prices, but Florida cattle producers warn it could squeeze domestic herds at a critical moment. Food Safety Watch: A cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce continues to spread, with cases now linked in more states including Florida. Restaurant & Hospitality Growth: WOWorks says it opened 23 new “better-for-you” restaurants this year and is on pace for nearly 40 more; Launch Family Entertainment announced a Pensacola opening with a KRAVE restaurant and bar. Dining Experiences in Florida: Sanford’s St. Johns Rivership Company debuts a Jane Austen-themed “Sense and Sensibility” high tea cruise, while Orlando’s Mills 50 spot “The Moderne” leans into Southeast Asian and Mediterranean-inspired tapas. Local Food Culture: Miccosukee Tribe opened a new service plaza with a food court off Tamiami Trail, adding Dunkin’ and the Glades Café.