March Event Brings Consumers, Ranchers Together for Education & Networking
by DEMI GUILLORY
On March 21-22, Meet Florida Meat 2026 will take place on Great Scotts Farm in Mount Dora. The annual event will mark its fifth consecutive year of providing Florida consumers with direct access to some of the freshest meat available from farms and ranches across the Sunshine State.
It is an event that evolved from the work its founder, Jillian Curtin, started with Florida Farm Finder — a directory resource connecting consumers with farmers to support the state’s agriculture. When she realized people were eager to support local farmers but lacked the confidence to buy farm-direct, Curtin knew a space needed to exist where consumers could learn from and listen to farmers.
“Meet Florida Meat was inspired by a very real disconnect I kept seeing between Florida consumers and Florida food,” Curtin says. “As the founder of Florida Farm Finder, my role has been to listen closely to both sides — farmers who are struggling to market themselves and consumers who want transparency and trust.”
This passion for mutual respect ultimately inspired Meet Florida Meat, where Florida farmers and ranchers can sample and sell their products and consumers are introduced to a vast selection of proteins and other farm-direct foods.
“It’s an extension of what [Florida Farm Finder] does year-round,” Curtin adds. The two-day, one-stop-shop event is an open invitation to a venue “where conversations can happen face-to-face, where farmers can tell their stories and where shoppers can ask real questions and make informed decisions about their food.”
LOCAL FOCUS
All of the protein from Meat Florida Meat vendors comes from animals born, bred and processed exclusively in Florida. This includes chicken, pork, beef, turkey, seafood, and duck– all of which is important for consumers wanting to better understand where their food is coming from and what is going into it.
“We encourage people to slow down, ask questions about sourcing, animal welfare, processing and land stewardship,” Curtin shares. Fresh food, she adds, may be the only tangible thing attendees leave with, but the knowledge and confidence they gain from making these interpersonal connections with farmers have equal value.
“That kind of informed consumer support is what truly strengthens local agriculture.”
The inaugural Meat Florida Meat featured about 30 vendors and welcomed 1,500 attendees. Since then, the event has expanded to what Curtin estimates is now roughly 3,500-4,200 people and 60 vendors.
STARTING THE DIALOG
Lisa Melegari, who has attended every year, says she appreciates the eye-opening experience the event offers.
“When I attended the first one, I didn’t know what to expect,” Melegari admits.
“I just figured I’d get some meat and that’d be it.” She was glad to be wrong.
“What I got then — and every year since — is an introduction to more farms doing fantastic things on Florida soil.”
Now, Melegari lovingly refers to herself as a “groupie” of these farms, staying informed by following them on social media and promoting them in response to requests on Florida Farm Finder and local foodie groups. She also visits those local to her.
FOSTERING THE CONNECTION
These extended connections, she says, are a direct result of Meet Florida Meat and its impact, helping her “feel more connected to the growers and producers around me [and reminding me] that Florida isn’t just tourism, citrus, and seafood.”
Farmers and ranchers at the event take pride in their herds, lands and products, Melegari notes.
“A lot of farmers sell extras like tallow and bones so you know they’re trying to really honor the animal by using all of it.”
Meet Florida Meat offers something different for everyone. “For some people, it’s about learning and asking questions,” Curtin says.
“For others, it’s about trying a little before committing. And for many families, it’s about stocking up and building long-term relationships with the people who raise their food.”
Attendees include everyone from young children to grandparents, she adds.
“Everyone gets something different from the experience, and that’s what makes it special.”
Melegari applauds the welcoming environment and appreciates that the younger generation has a venue where they can learn to value agriculture.
“I think that the more kids learn that meat doesn’t just appear in grocery stores, the more respect they’ll have for farmers and our food sources in the future.”
The year on the calendar may change, but Curtin is committed to ensuring each Meet Florida Meat remains about education and empowerment.
“Pulling it off takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work,” she says, “but seeing farmers succeed and families leave feeling confident makes every bit of it worth it.”
For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/2tzc84m5