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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

"Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" – Worth Saving?

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Friday, May 13, 2011   

MADISON, Wis. - Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would eliminate the "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" program - one of many initiatives targeted because of state budget woes - but supporters say it's successful and should stay.

The program provides grants to help connect Wisconsin farmers and producers with local markets such as grocery stores and restaurants. Supporters such as Todd Landfried, vice president and chief operating officer of Neesvig's Food Service in Windsor, say the program is necessary because conventional lending sources haven't yet caught up with the movement.

"I think the most important thing is that you're keeping the money within the state and you're helping the taxpayers, be they farmers or producers, actually grow their business. Needless to say, what goes along with that is great, quality products."

Dane County pork producer Bob Uphoff, who sells his products to Neesvig's, knows that the state budget is tight but says "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" really works to keep locally produced food in local restaurants.

"I've been a firm believer that the consumer drives the marketplace here, and if that's what they're looking for, we need to take a look and see if we can help provide the products into the marketplace for them."

Neesvig's got a grant to research more ways to connect Wisconsin farms and producers with the local food-service community, and launched a project called "Delivering the Bounty of Wisconsin."

"Buy local" is the No. 1 movement in the food-service industry, Landfried says.

"Absolutely. Every single day, every single meeting that I have with a chef, the topic of sourcing locally comes up, and what you do with a local farmer, and for that chef."

Consumers are starting to care where their food comes from, Uphoff says.

"I would say 10 years ago they did not; but I would say today that people are more interested; I think they want to connect back to where their food is coming from."


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