The holiday season in Wisconsin is a time of family, celebration, and shared meals. Yet, not everyone in the state has access to enough food. Hunger remains a serious issue, and state leaders have worked for years to address it.
During the pandemic, Governor Evers used $70 million in federal funding for the Food Security Initiative. This program connected food-insecure families with local Wisconsin farmers. Building on this effort, the 2025-2027 state budget now funds a new Food Security and Wisconsin Products Program.
This program invests $5 million annually to support nonprofit organizations that buy and distribute food to communities across Wisconsin. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) manages the program, helping bridge the gap between local farms and dinner tables. Grant recipients will be announced soon.
DATCP also runs the Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, RFSI strengthens the middle of the food supply chain. It helps small farms and food businesses sell more products, create value-added goods, and develop new job opportunities.
By supporting processing, manufacturing, and transportation, RFSI makes Wisconsin food more accessible to people who need it most. The program also boosts local and regional food systems while helping farms stay competitive.
Another key initiative is the Tribal Elder Community Food Box Program, created under Governor Evers’ 2023-2025 budget. This program helps nonprofits buy and distribute food to Tribal elders while supporting local food producers. In the 2025-2027 budget, the state invested $1.5 million per year to continue this program. Supporting Tribal Nations is an essential part of addressing food insecurity across Wisconsin.
Food pantries and food banks remain critical in connecting people with food. Although more families have relied on these services recently due to federal uncertainties, food banks continue to meet demand. Communities, volunteers, and businesses play a vital role in keeping these programs running and helping families in need.
Wisconsin is known for its sense of community and generosity, especially around food. Farmers across the state, from Bayfield to Beloit, need reliable ways to sell their products. Meanwhile, families in areas from La Crosse to Sheboygan sometimes need support to feed their loved ones.
Programs like the Food Security and Wisconsin Products Program, RFSI, and Tribal Elder Food Boxes strengthen these connections. They ensure that local food reaches the people who need it most while supporting Wisconsin agriculture.
This holiday season, Wisconsinites are encouraged to continue helping one another. By supporting programs that connect local farms to families, the state can make sure everyone has access to nutritious meals and that Wisconsin’s agricultural community thrives.
