About
Governor Tony Evers has continually supported Wisconsin's agriculture industry and food-insecure residents. Since the beginning of the pandemic the Governor has allocated $65 million to hunger relief organizations in Wisconsin to connect those who are food insecure with Wisconsin producers and processors in search of markets for their products.
On October 20, 2022, Governor Tony Evers announced an additional $10 million investment to ensure food insecure residents in rural communities, urban centers, Tribal Nations, and Wisconsinites in all corners of the state receive much needed hunger relief. This strategic investment builds on the December 2021 announcement that up to $30 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars would be allocated to ensure food insecure residents through the two largest hunger relief organizations in Wisconsin. Through this program, these two entities are be eligible for $15 million to purchase food resources and may use up to $5 million to invest in storage, distribution, and transportation costs.
Prior to these announcements, in May of 2020, Governor Tony Evers announced a plan to allocate $65 million to help support Wisconsin's agriculture industry during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. In addition to $50 million in direct aid payments to farmers through the Wisconsin Farm Support Program, the Governor's commitment also included a $15 million Food Security Initiative. This initiative was comprised of two grant programs:
COVID-19 Food Security Network Support Grant totaled approximately $5 million and the program grants went towards helping food banks adapt to the challenges they've faced as a result of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant totaled approximately $10 million and the program grants helped Wisconsin food banks and other eligible non-profit organizations purchase Wisconsin food products for distribution to people experiencing food insecurity.
Press Releases
October 20, 2022: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Additional $10 Million Investment in Food Security Initiative
December 9, 2021:Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce $30 Million Investment in Food Pantry Network
November 12, 2020: Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Additional $10 Million for Food Security Initiative
August 27, 2020: DATCP Announces Recipients of Food Security Initiative Grants
July 15, 2020: Applications Open for DATCP Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant
July 2, 2020: DATCP Accepting Applications for COVID-19 Food Security Network Support Grants
June 24, 2020: DATCP Encourages Potential Applicants for Food Security Grants to Sign Up for Email Updates
May 20, 2020: DATCP Interim Secretary Applauds Gov. Evers' Action to Fund COVID-19 Response
May 20, 2020: Gov. Evers Goes All In for Agriculture with $50 Million in Relief for Wisconsin Farmers, $15 Million Food Security Initiative
Questions?
For more information about the Food Security Initiative, please email DATCPFoodSecurityInitiative@wisconsin.gov.