"This is not a food distribution event; this is a picnic," says organizer

Lake Worth Beach food-sharing ordinance sparks new dispute over weekly Bryant Park gatherings

A weekly community gathering at Bryant Park is drawing renewed scrutiny in Lake Worth Beach as organizers question how the city is enforcing a new ordinance regulating food-sharing events in public parks.

Melissa Salerno, a community member involved in the weekly gatherings, says the group continues to meet to share food and spend time together. But she says members have repeatedly been told by law enforcement that they are violating the city's rules, even as organizers maintain they are keeping attendance below 25 people and gathering for a picnic rather than a food distribution event.

The dispute centers on how the city defines a food-sharing event, which rules apply to smaller gatherings, and why Bryant Park is excluded from the locations where these events are permitted.

During a recent gathering, attendance appeared significantly lower than at previous events. Legal observers were also present after organizers invited them to monitor the gathering in case tensions escalated, equipped with body cameras and a measuring tape to comply with Florida's Halo law.

Rick White, one of the legal observers, said their role was to help ensure participants' rights were respected. "Just to make sure no one's civil rights are being violated, either way we're neutral; we're not here for one side or the other," White said.

Salerno said organizers have attempted to follow the new ordinance by keeping participation below 25 people. She also disputes the city's characterization of the gathering as a food distribution event.

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