Latest news with #JackieBrown
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
A federal program sent local farmers' fresh produce to food banks. It's being cut
Stew — a big pot of it — with onions, potatoes and bell peppers. Maybe a little bit of meat, if they're lucky, Jackie Brown muttered, chewing over potential dinner ideas for her family as she surveyed the produce refrigerator at the Feeding South Florida food bank in Pembroke Park on a recent afternoon. She was planning a week of meals for herself and the five grandchildren she's raising, all big eaters, and needed something hearty that would also yield leftovers. Brown, 59, is one of the 1.2 million South Floridians who relied on Feeding South Florida, the region's largest food bank, last year to supplement their groceries. As rising costs of living have nudged more locals into greater financial precariousness and closer to hunger, the organization reported that nearly two in 10 South Floridians turned to it last year for food. But recent federal funding cuts mean Feeding South Florida's budget is about to shrink by more than 30%. As part of its push to reduce federal spending, the Trump administration shuttered the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), a $900 million initiative started in 2021 to help food banks purchase produce from local farmers. In doing so, it lopped $13.5 million — nearly all of the food bank's federal funding — from Feeding South Florida's budget. That means fewer vegetables on the table for families like Brown's, and fewer orders for the farmers who grow them. ▪ ▪ ▪ Particularly toward the end of the month, Brown relies on food banks like Feeding South Florida to put meals on the table. 'That's what I use the food bank for,' she said, 'to fill in that last week of the month before I get more [food stamp] assistance.' Like many across the country, and especially in South Florida, her household has felt the squeeze of rising prices. U.S. Department of Agriculture data shows grocery prices have jumped roughly 30% since 2020. Over the same period of time, Miami-Dade's rate of food insecurity — people who don't have enough to eat — has spiked by 50%. On any given day, roughly 400,000 Miamians, 15% of the county's population, don't know where their next meal will come from. Compounding that vulnerability are proposed major cuts to federal spending on food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, on which nearly 3 million Floridians, including Brown and her five grandchildren, rely. For Brown's family and others that are either food insecure or close to it, food banks have become especially important for ensuring access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The local produce purchase program is largely to thank. Feeding South Florida estimates that nearly half of its produce is purchased with money from the program. Without the funding, the food bank told the Miami Herald it anticipates 'a reduction in both the volume and variety of fresh foods available' at its food banks and that its 'capacity to provide nutritious food will be significantly affected.' Robin Safley, the CEO of Feeding South Florida's umbrella organization, Feeding Florida, emphasized the economic importance of guaranteeing access to healthy, fresh food. Those served by her organization's affiliate food banks disproportionately deal with chronic health issues, including diabetes, said Safley. 'Many of them are also on Medicaid,' she noted, 'so those chronic conditions can really drive up the cost of health care.' Healthy eating plays a critical role in mitigating those costs, she added. But beyond those health impacts, Safley pointed out that the program has given local farmers more opportunities to sell produce in their home communities. ▪ ▪ ▪ At his farm in Palm Beach County earlier this month, J.D. Poole shouted over the sound of water raining from pipes affixed to the ceiling, cooling boxes of freshly picked corn below. A third-generation farmer from Belle Glade, Poole co-founded Scotlynn Sweet-Pac Growers in 2012. Still based in Belle Glade, the company plants, harvests and ships thousands of acres of sweet corn, pumpkins, cabbage, watermelon and asparagus each year. Thanks to the federal food purchase initiative, from which Florida received and dispersed more than $20 million to food banks last year, Feeding South Florida has been a major buyer from Poole. He estimates his farm sends more than 1 million pounds of produce each year down to the food bank, which purchases those orders with money from the program. Poole said the arrangement accounts for roughly 10% of Sweet-Pac Growers' annual revenue. The program was particularly helpful for selling perfectly good produce that grocery stores wouldn't buy because of slight aesthetic imperfections, he added. 'Rather than walk away and take a huge financial loss' on those vegetables, the program helped his business recoup planting investments that otherwise would've been lost, while at the same time 'providing really good, fresh food at a reasonable cost to the needy.' If not for the program, that produce would've been thrown out. That's what will likely happen now. He was grateful to provide for those in need, but Poole says he can't afford to harvest, process, package and ship his produce to food banks on his own dime. He hopes the president will reconsider the program's termination. A Trump voter, Poole is generally content with the administration thus far. And he backs Trump and the Department of Governmental Efficiency's (DOGE) purported efforts to eliminate the 'fluff' in government spending. But, he said, this initiative is not fluff. 'It's a very needed program.' Poole is far from alone in the agriculture community in his assessment. Aaron Shier, the government relations director at the National Farmers Union, a D.C.-based advocacy group, said the program has been important for many community farmers and strengthened local food supply chains, all while feeding people in need. U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, a Florida Democrat who sits on the House Appropriations Committee's agriculture subcommittee, described the program as a 'win-win for our local farmers and for families in need.' Its cancellation is a 'gut punch,' she told the Herald, especially for small farmers and food-insecure people. People like Brown. The grandmother's disability benefits and SNAP assistance alone aren't enough for her to provide for her dependent grandchildren, whose mother died and whose father isn't in the picture. But Brown, turning to her friend Lathoya Bennett, said she feels lucky. 'Lots of people, lots of homeless people, can't even get here to get [this food]. We really need more of this.' Bennett nodded as she looked over the piles of carrots and onions: 'This is really a blessing.' This story was produced with financial support from supporters including The Green Family Foundation Trust and Ken O'Keefe, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Black America Web
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Pam Grier's Iconic Roles That Changed Hollywood Forever
Source: LMPC / Getty Pam Grier, known as the undisputed queen of 1970s Blaxploitation films, paved the way for Black women in Hollywood by embodying strength, style, and resilience on-screen. Her groundbreaking career spans over five decades, delivering unforgettable performances that have earned her a devoted global fan base. RELATED: Someone Had The Audacity To Say Pam Grier Isn't Black Beauty Personified RELATED: Pam Grier Taps Into Her Inner Gangsta In Tubi's 'Cinnamon' Grier burst into stardom during the 1970s with films that gave audiences fiercely independent heroines rarely seen at the time. She became the face of a genre, bringing charisma and power to every role. Grier's performances didn't just entertain; they broke barriers, showcasing women not as damsels in distress but as characters who could command their own stories. The 1973 classic Coffy is perhaps her most iconic role, where she played a nurse turned vigilante taking down drug pushers. Her unapologetic portrayal of Coffy transformed her into a feminist icon of the era. Soon after, she solidified her status with Foxy Brown, where she became a force of justice once again. These roles made her a symbol of empowerment, especially for underrepresented audiences. Years later, Grier captivated audiences in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, proving her immense range as an actress. Playing the titular role, a smart and resourceful flight attendant tangled up in a money-laundering scheme, Grier earned critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination. It was a triumphant return to mainstream cinema, showing her remarkable staying power. Pam Grier's legacy isn't just about the characters she played. It's also about the doors she opened for women of color in Hollywood. Her fearless performances continue to inspire, and her influence is felt across the industry. Grier shines as Coffy, a nurse who turns vigilante to take down drug dealers and crime bosses responsible for destroying her community. Her fierceness and unapologetic determination made Coffy a groundbreaking character and solidified Grier as the first Black female action star. Playing Foxy Brown, a courageous woman on a mission to dismantle a drug syndicate, Grier brings unmatched charisma and strength to the role. This film remains a cultural touchstone for its bold, unapologetic portrayal of empowerment and justice. Grier stars as Jackie Brown, a flight attendant caught smuggling money, in Quentin Tarantino's homage to 1970s Blaxploitation. Her layered, nuanced performance in this crime drama earned her critical acclaim and showcased her ability to master more subdued, complex roles. Grier plays Sheba Shayne, a no-nonsense private investigator who returns to her hometown to fight off corrupt businessmen threatening her father's business. Her intelligence and poise in this role highlighted her versatility as an actress. Grier takes on the horror genre in this sequel to 'Blacula.' Playing Lisa, a voodoo priestess, she radiates strength and courage while facing supernatural forces. Her commanding presence elevated this cult classic beyond a standard horror film. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Bridget Fonda seen with husband Danny Elfman for first time in years as she shows off dramatic weight loss
Reclusive star Bridget Fonda Fonda and Danny Elfman were spotted together for the first time in years—just months after she was seen without her wedding ring. The 61-year-old screen icon, who vanished from the spotlight after starring in cult classics like Point of No Return and Jackie Brown, revealed a noticeably slimmer figure as she stepped out with the famed composer, 71, outside their Los Angeles home on Monday. Wearing a dark pea coat and matching pants, the daughter of Hollywood legend Peter Fonda looked worlds away from her former physique, unable to hide her dramatic weight loss or the return of her gold wedding band. Amid Hollywood's Ozempic craze, some fans suspect Bridget's transformation is due to weight-loss injections, though others credit diet and lifestyle—while she's stayed silent either way. Danny, known for scoring Tim Burton 's biggest films, kept things casual in a baseball tee and cap as the pair were seen reviewing home renovations. The couple, last seen on the red carpet in 2009, appeared in high spirits after years out of the spotlight—despite swirling split rumors and no divorce filing in Los Angeles courts. Reclusive star Bridget Fonda Fonda and Danny Elfman were spotted together for the first time in years—just months after she was seen without her wedding ring Danny, known for scoring Tim Burton 's biggest films, kept things casual in a baseball tee and cap as the pair were seen reviewing home renovations Wearing a dark pea coat and matching pants, the daughter of Hollywood legend Peter Fonda looked worlds away from her former physique , unable to conceal her dramatic weight loss , nor her gold wedding band Married since 2003 and parents to one son, Oliver, 20, the pair have long kept their private life tightly under wraps. Fonda was last seen on screen in the 2002 TV movie Snow Queen. A month before she and Elfman became engaged, she fractured her vertebrae in a serious car accident along the Pacific Coast Highway. The injury prompted her to step away from acting for good. After making her on-screen debut at age five in Easy Rider alongside her father, Fonda went on to work with legendary directors including Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather Part III) and Quentin Tarantino (Jackie Brown). In 1990, she received her first Golden Globe nomination for 'Scandal'. Her second came in 2002 for After Amy. Fonda also earned an Emmy nomination in 1997 for In the Gloaming. Married since 2003 and parents to one son, the pair have long kept their private life tightly under wraps Asked a few years ago if she'd ever return to Hollywood, Fonda told DailyMail: 'No, I don't think so. It's too nice being a civilian.' Meanwhile, Elfman—best known for his collaborations with Tim Burton on films like Batman, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Alice in Wonderland—has been battling a series of sexual harassment allegations. In 2023, his former protégée Nomi Abadi accused him of inappropriate behavior, including once serving her a martini glass filled with semen. Nomi Abadi, a 36-year-old composer, had previously sued Elfman for breach of contract after alleging that he had failed to pay her a portion of a settlement they had previously agreed to. In a 2023 Rolling Stone piece, Abadi made the accusation involving the martini glass, which elicited a vigorous denial from Elfman. But now Abadi is taking Elfman to court over his response to her claims with a new defamation lawsuit. She is suing the Oingo Boingo singer and songwriter — who was also been sued by a second woman for alleged sexual abuse — for denying her account, which she claims is tantamount to calling her a liar, according to the lawsuit obtained by TMZ. In Abadi's defamation suit, she reiterated her claims that Elfman gave her a martini glass filled with semen. In 2023, his former protégée Nomi Abadi accused him of inappropriate behavior, including once serving her a martini glass filled with semen Nomi Abadi, a 36-year-old composer, had previously sued Elfman for breach of contract after alleging that he had failed to pay her a portion of a settlement they had previously agreed to She says she was invited to Elfman's studio in August of 2016, when she was allegedly presented with the martini glass bearing a whitish substance. Abadi describes how she 'sat in silence, terrified, gagging from the putrid smell coming from ... semen ejaculate.' The Rolling Stone report cited a police report filed by Abadi in November 2017, in which she claimed that Elfman had exposed his genitals and masturbated in her presence — without her consent — multiple times. In the wake of the accusations, Elfman agreed to a 2018 settlement and nondisclosure agreement with Abadi. But she sued the musician in 2023 for breach of contract for allegedly failing to pay all of the agreed-upon $830,000. Abadi claimed he had failed to make two payments, one due in 2019 and one in 2021, which totaled $85,000. 'How do I respond to accusations so serious that being innocent is not a valid defense? It is excruciating to consider that a 50-year career may be destroyed in one news cycle as a result of vicious and wholly false allegations about sexual misconduct,' began Elfman's denial. 'Ms. Abadi's allegations are simply not true,' he said.
NBC Sports
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
A Samuel L. Jackson sighting becomes an instant highlight of Super Bowl week
Super Bowl week has had many expected highlights. We interviewed Deion Sanders, Justin Jefferson, Jayden Daniels, Joe Montana, and many other current and former stars of the NFL. Sunday morning brought an unexpected I-think-I-just-shit-my-pants moment. My wife, my brother-in-law, his wife, and me went out for breakfast at a spot near our hotel in the French Quarter. I wanted a second cup of coffee but I didn't feel like standing in the line at the bakery again. So when I got back, I walked over to the coffee shop in the hotel lobby. The line was about five deep, and it stretched out the door to the phone-booth-sized store. I stood to the right of the entrance. Someone else was waiting to my left. Low key. Incognito. Unassuming. I glanced over. It was Samuel L. Jackson. The pulse quickened. The nerves on the back of the neck tingled. The mind raced. I wanted to do the fanboy thing and start gushing. But he had the force fields up, which I respected. That's entirely his prerogative — especially since he surely gets mobbed wherever he goes. But, man, it was Samuel L. Jackson. He was Stacks in Goodfellas. Jules in Pulp Fiction. Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown. Stephen in Django Unchained. Major Marquis Warren in The Hateful Eight. Five of my all-time favorite movies, featuring the guy standing literally two feet away. I kept wrestling with blurting something out and respecting his desire to be left alone. I kept trying to come up with something. 'Make that coffee to go, right?' 'Are you ordering some serious gourmet shit?' 'I hope nobody poisoned the coffee.' But I knew he didn't want to be bothered. Especially not by some schmuck like me. I still wanted to talk to him. I mean, it's the one time in my life that I'll have a chance to speak to Samuel L. Jackson. I had to say something. So after he paid (I didn't notice if his wallet still said 'Bad Mother Fucker') and started to leave, I mustered the nerve. Gathered my thoughts. Opened my mouth. And out came this: 'I'm not gonna bother you, but we love you.' Which probably made him wonder who in the fuck 'we' is, since it was just me. (The 'we' was supposed to mean my son and me.) Of course, there's a decent chance that what I think I said and what I actually said were two different things. It might have been even more gibberish-ish than I recall. Regardless, of all the unforgettable moments from a full week in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, that's the one I'll always remember. And if I ever run into him again, maybe he'll recognize me and say, 'Yeah, you're that dumbass who said 'we' while you were standing there all by yourself.'
