(MADISON) Wisconsin farmers could see new business this year — while families across the county get better access to food.
The Wisconsin Division of Agriculture is sending $5 million to hunger relief programs that buy directly from Wisconsin farmers, a move aimed at keeping food pantry shelves stocked with locally grown products and keeping dollars in rural communities.
Gov. Tony Evers and the state Department of Agriculture announced the funding this week through the Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant Program. The program connects food pantries and nonprofit food programs with Wisconsin farmers and producers, requiring that at least 51 percent of the food purchased be grown or processed in the state.
For a county like Dodge, the funding means more than hunger relief. It creates a steady market for small and mid-sized farms, many of which already supply milk, meat, grains, and produce that can move quickly into local food distribution networks.
Two statewide organizations, Hunger Task Force and Feeding Wisconsin, will each receive $2.5 million. The money will be used to purchase food that is then distributed free to families and individuals across Wisconsin, including rural counties like Dodge.
State officials say the program helps stabilize farmers’ income at a time when federal food programs face uncertainty, while also improving access to fresh, nutritious food for seniors, children, and working families.
The funding was included in the 2025–27 state budget and builds on earlier investments designed to strengthen Wisconsin agriculture while addressing food insecurity — a balance that hits close to home in farming communities where both needs often exist side by side.
