Dane County Food Action Plan
Welcome to the Dane County Food Action Plan!
We’re leading a community-centered initiative to develop a comprehensive regional food system action plan for Dane County. Our mission is to create a collaborative, inclusive process that ensures the voices of all stakeholders—farmers, food producers, retailers, buyers, agencies, organizations, and everyday eaters—are heard and integrated.
Your food priorities
We want to hear your experiences around food access and what’s important to you in our local food system.
Discuss together
Host a community engagement session so that voices in your community are heard.
Why do we need a food action plan?
Find out why a food action plan is critical for Dane County.
Join Us in Shaping Dane County’s Future Food System
This project aims to bring together a diverse range of perspectives to develop a sustainable and equitable food system. We want to hear from you, whether you’re a local farmer, food retailer, institutional buyer, or community member. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient food network that benefits everyone.
Please bookmark this page as we’re in the process of adding more resources, including:
- Community engagement events & discussions
- Public survey to gather insights
- Project timeline, milestones, and updates
Key Goals
Engage the entire Dane County community in creating a regional food system action plan.
Include diverse voices from every sector of the food chain—from growers to consumers.
Develop actionable strategies to ensure long-term food security, sustainability, and community health.
View our calendar for future community events.
Want to learn more?
Press about the Dane County Food Action Plan project:
USDA Funding Awarded to Develop Dane County Regional Food System Action Plan
“It’s about transforming our food system.” Dane County Food Action Plan launches
Expanding the Table: How Regional Food Systems Planning Can Drive Lasting Change
Learn about the Dane County Food System and Food Action Plans:
Read the Dane County Pandemic Food System Final Report, which includes a recommendation for a regional food plan
Why is a Food Action Plan critical? See the American Planning Association Policy Guide on Community and Regional Food Planning
Seeding Resilience: An Embedded Approach to Food Systems Planning in Dane County
Read updates from the Dane County Food Action Plan Sectors
Mutual Aid for Food Security: When the Food Safety Net Frays, We Must Build Networked Resilience
The State of Our Emergency Food System
Save Our SNAP
Podcasts
Watch the Nourishing Conversations Podcast: Food Policy, Democracy, and Community Building
Watch the Nourishing Conversations Podcast: Investing in Local Community for a Healthy Food System
Watch the Nourishing Conversations Podcast: Building Soil & Community
Watch the Nourishing Conversations Podcast: Starting a Business & Policy Solutions
Watch the Nourishing Conversations Podcast: Cadre Restaurant
Watch The Layered Onion podcast: Noah Bloedorn: Dane County’s Food Plan Led by REAP
Whiteboard Shorts
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: What Is a Food System?
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Agriculture
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Infrastructure
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Dane Co. Farmers’ Market
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Foodshed Partnership
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Retail
Watch the Dane County Food Action Plan Whiteboard Short: Cooking
We look forward to collaborating with you and building a healthier, more resilient food system
for Dane County.
Stay connected with us and receive project updates!
Have questions about the Dane County Food Action Plan project? Reach out to us!
Partners
