Times, foundation to host panel on food, community
ST. PETERSBURG — The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will host a free community conversation on Tampa Bay’s food system at the upcoming Spotlight Tampa Bay event, “Farm to Table: How Food Shapes a Thriving Community.” The forum will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.
From 5-6 p.m., explore the community resource center, which will include booths from The Sustainable Living Project, 360 Eats, the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Coalition, Healthy St. Pete, 15th Street Farm, the American Culinary Federation’s Tampa Bay chapter, The Sustany Foundation, the Pinellas Beekeepers Association, Beech Kombucha and the Tampa Bay Times.
At 6 p.m., local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on how food shapes our region. How does the food we love get to our table? And what roles do we all play in making healthy food accessible to everyone in our community? In this free panel discussion, local residents, growers, and nonprofit and community leaders will discuss how Tampa Bay’s food system connects to every facet of our daily lives — from which foods are available to us to how much they cost — and what we can do to make the system stronger. Hear from local leaders dedicated to fighting food insecurity, farmers striving to uphold sustainable foodways and more. Plus, don’t miss our immersive tasting experience before the event.
“We believe strong communities are built when people understand the systems that shape their daily lives — including the food on our tables,” said Times CEO Conan Gallaty. “By convening this conversation with local leaders and residents, we hope to spark greater awareness, collaboration and action to ensure healthy, affordable food is accessible to everyone in our community.”
The conversation, moderated by Michelle Stark, food and dining editor at the Tampa Bay Times, will feature the Rev. Howard Gunn Jr., co-founder of the Florida Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association; Emmanuel Roux, founder of 15th Street Farm; Jennifer Yeagley, CEO of the St. Pete Free Clinic; and Monica Petrella, food system program coordinator at Homegrown Hillsborough.
“Our reliable and equitable access to nutritious food is a critical component of our health, so we must come together to talk about it,” said Dr. Kanika Tomalin, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. “When we gather to hear from experts, ask questions and learn together, we can better drive the changes needed to ensure that good health helps all of our community members thrive.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. The resource center will be held from 5-6 p.m. The panel discussion, which will include questions from the audience, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees should register at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the Spotlight Tampa Bay community conversation series, email mwhiteley@tampabay.com.
Housing Authority to host senior prom for senior residents
ST. PETERSBURG — The St. Petersburg Housing Authority is organizing a special Senior Prom event for SPHA senior residents, creating a joyful evening of music, dancing, and community for seniors living in SPHA communities.
The May 28 event will take place at The Legacy at Jordan Park from 5-7 p.m. The building is a newly constructed three-story, 60-unit senior midrise for households 62 years and older. The building is owned and managed by SPHA.
The evening will feature music, dancing, and dinner. The theme for the event will be “Soul Train.”
“At SPHA, we strive to create meaningful experiences that bring connection and a sense of community to our residents,” said Michael Lundy, SPHA president and CEO. “Events like this remind our seniors that they are valued members of our community and deserve opportunities to celebrate, connect, and enjoy special moments together.”
The event is being organized by SPHA’s Social Services Department, led by Director of Social Services Kiara Lovett. “Many of our seniors haven’t had an opportunity like this in years, and we wanted to create a space where they can truly let loose, relive memories, and feel seen and celebrated. From the music to the atmosphere, everything is designed to bring back that feeling of stepping onto the dance floor and just enjoying life in the moment,” said Lovett.
For more information about the Senior Prom event, contact: SocialServices@StPeteHA.org
Mayor, city to host City Hall on Tour, hurricane prep
ST. PETERSBURG — Residents will have the opportunity to prepare for hurricane season and connect with city leaders as the city of St. Petersburg hosts the 2026 Hurricane Preparedness Expo alongside Mayor Ken Welch’s City Hall on Tour. This free, family-friendly event is designed to help the community prepare for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season.
Residents also will be able to connect directly with city officials, ask questions, share concerns, and gain information related to storm preparedness and response in an open house setting.
The expo and Mayor’s City Hall on Tour will be Wednesday, May 27, 5-7 p.m., at Lake Vista Park, 1401 62nd Ave. S.
The Hurricane Preparedness Expo will cover essential topics such as evacuation planning, storm safety, and emergency preparedness. Attendees can also access a variety of helpful resources and services, including free hurricane preparedness supplies and information to help them get ready for the season. Community partners will also be on-site, offering information about community resources and support services.
For hurricane preparedness resources, visit https://tinyurl.com/4btp3ptd