The FoodWIse program in Dane County is federally funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). With local strengths, we support healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for Wisconsin residents experiencing limited incomes through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels.
Dane County Landscape
Whether people are healthy or not is affected by systems, policies, and environmental factors.
32% of children in schools were eligible for free or reduced price meals.^
7.8% of Dane County residents use SNAP benefits to purchase food for themselves and their families.*
^Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction * WI Dept of Administration and WI Dept of Health Services
Achieving More Together
UW-Madison Division of Extension works alongside the people of Wisconsin throughout urban and rural communities to deliver practical educational programs where people live and work. In Dane County, FoodWIse partners with schools, after-school programs, Head Start programs, senior meal sites, and food pantries to help make the healthy choice the easy choice in our communities.
Community Impacts in 2024
- Engaged with over 2,607 learners multiple times in a series of 4-8weeks delivering lessons around nutrition education topics in avariety of settings, including early care and education centers, K-12 school settings, food pantries, and senior centers.
- Built partnerships with schools, afterschool programs and early care programs to expand the Harvest of the Month campaign, reaching students, parents & caregivers with messages in English & Spanish to promote eating Wisconsin-grown fruits & vegetables.
- Worked with 5 organizations to offer StrongBodies strength training series for older adults across Dane County. Each educator also participated in leading Strong Bodies sessions in the virtual statewide Strong Bodies series.
Click the button below to download the full 2024 annual report. For more information about the FoodWIse program contact Jackie Gehin at gehin.jackie@danecounty.gov
