University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dane County is fortunate to have dozens of local farm stands and farmers markets. However, income, transportation, and mobility barriers can render them inaccessible, especially for low-income seniors. The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) supports low-income seniors in accessing fresh produce by providing seasonal vouchers they can redeem at participating markets and farm stands. […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our local (and national/global) food system, it revealed and amplified weaknesses and inequities in our food system. It was clear that there was a critical need to strengthen our local and regional food system against future disruptions. In 2021 the Dane County Food Council with Dane County Extension’s Community Food […]
Thank you to everyone who joined us July 22 at Brix Cider in Mount Horeb for our latest “State of the Food System” Presentation and Town Hall! It was a truly energizing evening that underscored the critical moment our food system is facing, from inflation and rising food insecurity to challenges for farmers and emergency […]
Situation Low-income seniors who participate in the food access program known as the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) may face barriers in accessing traditional farmers markets. While Dane County distributes all their senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers annually, redemption of vouchers has been historically low in Dane County as compared to other counties across […]
Situation Farm-to-school programs provide kids access to nutritious, high-quality, local food while creating market development opportunities for local farmers. Yet not all local farmers have equal access to this economic opportunity. This is especially true of historically-underserved farmers, a federal designation that includes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); women; beginning farmers; and veterans, […]
