Resources for Food Security
SNAP (known in Wisconsin as FoodShare, previously known as “Food Stamps”) provides low-income families with funding to purchase food. If you are struggling to buy food for yourself or your family, consider applying for SNAP.
Did you know?
Madison & Dane County are part of the Double Dollars program for Farmers Markets! That means that FoodShare users can get up to $20 per day extra cash when spending it at participating Dane County markets. During the winter season, Willy Street Co-op also has a Double Dollars program on Tuesdays.
Learn more about using your QUEST card at farmers’ markets.
Local Services
- Please reference this list of Dane County Food Resources for information about food pantries, free meals, and nutrition assistance programs available in the Dane County area.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dane County Extension partnered with Public Health Madison & Dane County to create this COVID-19 Food Access Resource Guide, which is still a valuable reference.
For SNAP Recipients
There are many services designed for FoodShare recipients to help with managing food dollars, purchase healthy foods, and turn food purchases into appealing meals for yourself and your family. Below are a few useful services:
- FoodShare: News and Updates (for the latest updates, such as applying for reimbursement for food lost to power outages)
- SNAP-Ed Resources (various educational and practical information for people on SNAP, directly from the source)
- MyPlate.gov (nutrition information for adults and nutrition educator resources for children)
Meal Planning Tools
Several calculators for meal planning exist, including:
- Iowa Sate University Extension’s food budget calculator. Check out other useful resources in their Spend Smart, Eat Smart program while you’re there!
- MyPlate’s nutrition planning calculator (for determining how much of each food group you need)
You can find many other tools for planning food budgets, finding recipes, and making nutritious meal plans online. Some tools even roll into grocery shopping so you can select your recipes and put them directly into an online cart for pickup or delivery! Many of these services are free, especially those run directly by grocery stores. Try searching “recipes with grocery list generator” or “meal planning recipes online” and looking at some options!
