COMMUNITY PARTNER GRANTS
The Community Partner Grant Program funds farm to food access projects to purchase food sourced from multiple Wisconsin producers, aggregate and distribute that food to area hunger relief access points (ex. food pantries) at no cost to the receiving organization or community members.
It supports the implementation of community-based farm to food access programs that have established and expanding partnerships, and demonstrates joint decision-making processes in which all supply chain partners work collaboratively towards a more equitable local food system.
Projects
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Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin (FAEW) will coordinate the procurement of foods for the Tribal Elder Food Box Program (TEFBP). On behalf of partnership with the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition, TEFB will be distributed to all 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin, including distribution in Milwaukee County.
Each tribe will manage its distribution and will be involved in decision making. Priority will be given to Indigenous producers in Wisconsin for food procurement. The program aims to strengthen local and regional food systems, support socially disadvantaged farmers, and establish partnerships for fresh and nutritious food distribution to underserved communities.
Website: https://feedingamericawi.org/tribal-food-security/
Project Contact: Karaline Black || 414-331-7960 || Kblack@feedingamericawi.org -
Hunger Task Force, Wisconsin's Anti-hunger Leader, plans to utilize WI Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funds to purchase fresh and minimally processed Wisconsin-produced foods from disadvantaged and underserved farmers. These foods will be distributed to food pantries in 30 of Wisconsin's most food-insecure counties.
The project targets low-income seniors, providing them with locally grown and processed foods free of charge, including 40,000 pounds of beef and pork, 3,800 pounds of salmon, and 18,000 pounds of produce. Socially disadvantaged farmers and food producers will benefit by gaining guaranteed markets, training, and technical assistance, allowing for better planning and thriving in the supply chain.
Website: https://www.hungertaskforce.org/
Project Contact: Kyle Buehner || (414)238-6473 || Kyle.buehner@hungertaskforce.org
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Juneau County plans to partner with local producers to combat food insecurity in the region. The Improving Food Resiliency and Food Insecurity in Juneau County project seeks to distribute food through home-delivered meals, pop-up community events, and micro-Community Sustained Agriculture (CSAs) featuring value-added items like honey, syrup, and jams. The micro-CSAs will vary seasonally based on available produce.
Facing health challenges, with a 37% adult obesity rate, and limited grocery stores, Juneau County aims to address food deserts and associated chronic health issues. The project adopts micro-CSAs to navigate rural challenges, tracking distributions through surveys and evaluations to ensure participant satisfaction and improve the local food system. Cooking demonstrations, both in-person and online, will contribute to community engagement and capture success stories, enhancing the project's holistic approach to promoting fresh and healthy foods while addressing underlying health disparities.
Website: https://www.co.juneau.wi.gov/
Project Contact: Gina Laack || (608) 847-9371 || Glaack@juneaucountywi.gov
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The Community Action Coalition (CAC) plans to purchase local commodities for distribution to partner pantries, addressing the increased demand for food due to the end of pandemic-era benefits and rising inflation. The project, called Grow Local, Feed Local, aims to bridge the gap between local producers and food access sites in Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties. CAC partners with REAP Food Group and Fairshare to source foods from eligible local producers and provide them with supportive services.
The initiative addresses challenges faced by families in accessing locally grown foods and supports historically underserved producers. Key outcomes include increased availability and access to local produce at food access sites, greater consumption of local foods by underserved households, and increased sales opportunities for local producers. The project focuses on offering a variety of produce based on pantry needs and supports communication and tracking through various tools. Grow Local, Feed Local aims to strengthen partnerships within the food system and create opportunities for collaboration among local non-profits and pantries.
Website: https://www.cacscw.org/
Project Contact: Kara White || (608) 237-1255 || Karaw@cacscw.org
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Farmshed's Farm, Fresh and Free (FFF) program, provides locally grown produce to hunger relief partners and TEFAP eligible community members. Established in 2010, Farmshed connects community members and farmers, offering resources and educational events for a resilient local food economy. FFF expands support to socially disadvantaged farmers, and emphasizes health equity. Collaborating with hunger relief partners, the program addresses accessibility issues in sourcing local foods.
Commitment to diversity is evident through the FFF program, fostering connections with Hmong-operated farms and offering technical assistance. FFF aims to benefit small local farms and the community, with qualitative data gathered through community interactions. Farmshed plans to share successes through an annual report, setting an example for community sponsors. The program's technical support is expected to continue through partnerships with WEDC and the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovations Hub.
Website: https://www.farmshed.org/
Project Contact: Ann Vang || Ann@farmshed.org
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The Farmers Feed Dunn County - Food Diversification Initiative aims to expand the Farmers Feed program by acquiring protein from local producers and diversifying produce for distribution to underserved communities in Dunn County. Stepping Stones, in its third year of the Farmers Feed program, has successfully distributed over 80,000 pounds of locally grown produce. The initiative addresses the increased need for quality protein after the 2023 federal FoodShare benefits increase ended.
The project benefits Wisconsin producers by providing exposure through various channels. Underserved communities, including rural areas and racial/ethnic minorities, will receive fresh, healthy products, filling gaps in households across Dunn County. The initiative also supports local students, particularly those receiving Share-A-Meal weekend kids' meal bags. The program strengthens partnerships with producers, enhances relationships with diverse communities, and tracks progress through established best practices, ensuring diverse nutrition for underserved neighbors.
Website: https://www.steppingstonesdc.org/
Project Contact: Angela Wolf || (715)235-2920 || a.wolf@steppingstonesdc.org
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The Cultivating Community Healthy Food Access Program, supported by this Community Partner Grant, expands a community-led food distribution system in Northeast Wisconsin. Stemming from successful Covid-19 emergency food distribution pilots, the program leverages trusted community spaces to distribute locally sourced produce to low-income BIPOC and socially disadvantaged populations. The initiative prioritizes relationship-building, flexibility, and cultural relevance, providing health benefits to over 12,480 individuals since 2020.
The trust-based model fosters candid conversations about barriers to healthy food access, including structural challenges and systemic racism. The program has strengthened relationships between local farms and community members, influencing the types of foods grown to align with culturally specific preferences. With a waiting list of partners and requests for expansion, the program continues to grow, engaging the Oneida Nation and collaborating with regional stakeholders for broader impact.
Wello, the lead organization, employs data management tools, ARC-GIS mapping, and established communication strategies to track, report, and disseminate project outcomes. The initiative's success and sustainability efforts will extend beyond the 2024 season through collaborations with stakeholders like the Wisconsin Farmers Union.
Website: https://wello.org/
Project Contact: Beth Heller || (773)329-3573 || Beth@wello.org
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The Hmong American Center (HAC), a non-profit serving the Southeast Asian Community (SEAC), aims to address food insecurity by partnering with local farmer's markets. Recognizing that traditional food banks lack culturally familiar items, HAC plans to work with farmers and Crazy Fresh to provide culturally appropriate produce, benefiting both the Hmong community and local farmers. The program targets 200-300 low-income families weekly, offering diverse produce such as lemongrass, ginger, and bamboo shoots.
The initiative supports small Hmong family farm vendors, providing them a consistent income. Families, predominantly Hmong and Southeast Asian, with limited English proficiency and annual incomes under $20,000, will undergo income verification for eligibility. The project incorporates photo release forms and storytelling to report success, with an annual gala showcasing impactful stories. Success metrics include distributing to 350 families, addressing challenges through weekly team meetings.
Website: https://www.hmongamericancenter.org/
Project Contact: Andy Her || (715)842-8390 || Yeelengxiong@hmongamericancenter.org
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The SLO Farmers Co-op (SLO) plans to expand Healthy Food Access programing by aggregating and distributing sustainable, local, and organic meat tailored to the program recipients' cultural preferences. The initiative aims to support historically underserved farmers by providing secure sales at a living-wage price point while enhancing food shares for Black, Muslim, Veteran, and income-vulnerable populations. SLO, with its expertise in aggregation and wholesale order fulfillment, will source products like beef, pork, chicken, goat, and lamb from 4-6 producers and 4 processors.
The project's success will be measured by achieving the planned product quantities, ensuring 100% sourcing from socially/historically disadvantaged farmers, and reaching 320 households. Qualitative data will be collected on the impact of the project on farms, supply chain partners, and underserved communities. The collaboration aims to provide highly desirable items not previously available due to budget constraints.
Website: https://slofarmersco-op.com/
Project Contact: Heather Toman || (906)235-3416 || Heather@slofarmersco-op.com
PROGRAM DETAILS AND BENEFITS
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FARMER TO FARMER COOPERATIVE LEARNING & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
For WI LFPA farmers of all sizes, production methods and experience levels, this educational programming is for producers to build capacity, gain market access, and strengthen the Wisconsin local food system network to provide more equitable food access to underserved communities.
Please complete the survey link below to share what you are interested in learning/sharing through Farmer-to-Farmer Cooperative learning opportunities.
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NETWORKING WITH WI FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERS
Don’t stay in your silo! Across Wisconsin there are organizations working hard to connect people and resources within the local food system. We want to be sure you can find jump in, meet people near you, and play an active role in the fields and beyond.