Feeding Northeast Florida announces retirement of President & CEO Susan King

Press release from Feeding Northeast Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Feeding Northeast Florida’s Board of Directors today announced that Susan King, President & CEO of FNEFL, will retire later this year following a nearly seven-year tenure of transformative leadership and service to the organization and the community. King will remain in her role until a successor is identified and onboarded. A search committee appointed by the Board will oversee the recruitment process, with the goal of naming the organization’s next leader by the end of 2026.

King has played a uniquely important role in Feeding Northeast Florida’s evolution. A founding board member when the organization was established in 2014, she assumed the role of President & CEO in 2019 and helped guide the food bank through a period of unprecedented innovation and community impact.

Feeding Northeast Florida’s day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives will continue uninterrupted throughout the transition. The food bank currently employs a staff of 96 and partners with more than 420 agencies that distribute food throughout its 12-county service area.

King’s tenure has been defined by transformational growth and the maturation of Feeding Northeast Florida into a leading regional organization addressing hunger, nutrition security, and community well-being. Under her leadership, the food bank expanded its service area from eight to 12 counties, while significantly increasing both the number of neighbors served and the volume of food distributed across the region.

“During my time at Feeding Northeast Florida, I have been privileged to work alongside an extraordinary team, dedicated partners, and a community that deeply believes no neighbor should face hunger alone,” said King. “Together, we have built something far bigger than a food bank. We have built a mission-driven organization focused on dignity, innovation, and hope. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and excited for the next leader who will carry this mission forward. The opportunities ahead for Feeding Northeast Florida are even greater than those behind us.”

Among King’s most notable accomplishments was the creation of Project SHARE during the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought together local restaurants, Florida Blue, and community partners to prepare and distribute thousands of meals to vulnerable residents while supporting displaced hospitality workers.

She also led several strategic initiatives that expanded the food bank’s reach and impact, including the launch of the Corner Market mobile pantry program, the 2023 merger with Gainesville-based Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, and the development of the organization’s new $27 million Jacksonville headquarters. The campus more than doubled Feeding Northeast Florida’s storage and distribution capacity and created a foundation for future growth.

King further advanced the organization’s focus on nutrition security through the establishment of a dedicated nutrition department and the creation of the Florida Blue Community Kitchen and Culinary Center. These efforts reflect Feeding Northeast Florida’s commitment to improving long-term health outcomes while addressing immediate food needs.

Today, Feeding Northeast Florida is recognized as one of Florida’s leading hunger-relief organizations, supported by a strong leadership team, engaged Board of Directors, dedicated staff, and an ever-expanding network of community partners. The organization is well-positioned for its next phase, as it continues expanding innovative solutions that address hunger, nutrition security, health outcomes, and economic opportunity throughout Northeast and North Central Florida.

“Susan has helped transform Feeding Northeast Florida into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofit organizations,” said Dipak Rajhansa, Chair of the Feeding Northeast Florida Board of Directors. “Her leadership, compassion and vision strengthened our ability to serve neighbors facing hunger while building a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and service. Because of Susan’s leadership, Feeding Northeast Florida enters this transition from a position of strength. We are excited about the future and confident that the organization’s next leader will inherit an exceptional team, strong community partnerships, and tremendous opportunities to expand our impact across the region.”