A federal initiative that financially supported Wisconsin farmers in producing fresh produce for food pantries has come to an end. The Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, part of a national project launched in 2021, aimed at bolstering local agriculture and alleviating hunger. This article explores the program's objectives, its impact on farmers and communities, and the reasons behind its discontinuation.

The Dual Benefits of the Assistance Program

This segment delves into the structure and benefits of the Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. Administered by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, it fostered partnerships among various organizations to promote local farming and healthy eating. Grants were allocated to farmers to enhance their market reach and to local groups for distributing locally sourced food to those in need.

During the previous growing season, nearly 300 farms participated, contributing $4.2 million worth of produce to over 250 pantries and schools. Recipients included both small local pantries and large food banks. Notably, 40% of the funded producers were from marginalized communities, with more than half being new or beginning farmers and 42% women-owned. The program sought to empower historically underserved groups within the predominantly white and male agricultural sector. Farmers collaborated with Marbleseed staff to establish contracts, set prices, and forecast sales volumes, receiving grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Reasons Behind the Program's Discontinuation

This section examines why the USDA decided to terminate the program. According to a letter from USDA deputy administrator Jack Tuckwiller, the initiative no longer aligns with the agency’s current priorities. The cancellation coincides with broader cost-cutting measures under President Donald Trump's administration to scale back federal government operations.

Jackie Anderson, executive director of Feeding Wisconsin, expressed disappointment about the program's elimination during a period of heightened demand for food bank services. Approximately 617,000 Wisconsin residents face food insecurity, according to Feeding America. Throughout the growing season, the Wisconsin Food Hub Cooperative facilitated weekly pickups of boxed produce from participating farms, distributing them across all counties in the state. Despite its successes, the program fell victim to shifting federal priorities and budget constraints.