MADISON, Wis. - It's often challenging to get good, healthy, locally grown food onto the lunch plates of school children, but 17 state Agriculture Department grants to producers, distributors and schools will be used to make that process easier.

Sarah Elliott, a program supervisor with the Agriculture Department, said there's a strong trend to get more locally sourced food into school kitchens.

"I think there's a lot of opportunity for producers here in Wisconsin to tap into the market," she said. "This specific program is designed to enhance access to all local markets, but with special attention paid to the school market."

The money, a total of $47,000, comes from the "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" program, through the "Transform Wisconsin" fund. The grants are going to food producers and distributors, and to various school districts around the state.

Elliott said schools represent a unique market.

"The school market is a very stable market," she said. "Schools tend to need very similar quantities of products on a very regular schedule, and that can be really advantageous for a lot of producers."

She said those receiving the funds will get one-on-one professional help to expand their markets and improve profitability - all with a goal of getting more local food into local markets.

Elliott said food producers will likely use the money for a wide variety of needs, but distributors and schools have more narrow applications for the funds.

"The distributors may be doing business planning or some financial forecasting; in the schools category, there is less variety," she said. "Almost all of the schools are looking to hire a consultant or a chef to help them create menus that incorporate local food and meet the nutritional requirements."

She said the school districts also can use their funds to provide staff training to procure and prepare fresh, seasonal produce.


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Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal funding meant to help feed low-income children during school break.

The decision affects more than 324,000 children statewide and leaves families with fewer resources at a time when school meal programs are unavailable.

Sarah Stripp, director of socioeconomic well-being for the nonprofit Springboard Opportunities, works with families in federally subsidized housing and said the rejection of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer EBT program puts additional strain on struggling households.

"We know that many of our families struggle to be able to provide food for their families during the summer when they are not receiving those meals during the school year, which affects their ability to be able to do any of the things they want to do," Stripp explained. "If they're hungry, their children are hungry. That limits what they are able to do."

Gov. Tate Reeves cited a desire to reject "attempts to expand the welfare state" as the primary reason for opting out. Under the Summer EBT program, eligible families would receive $40 per month per school-aged child, amounting to $120 per child for the summer in grocery benefits.

Springboard Opportunities is stepping in to provide cash assistance to Jackson families living in federally subsidized housing but the organization can only reach a fraction of those in need. Stripp pointed out without federal aid, families are forced to redirect money from other essential expenses, such as gas and child care, to afford groceries.

"To not be willing to take federal funding that would go directly to families, that would be spent at local grocery stores, at farmers markets, to prevent summer food insecurities," Stripp observed. "To me, it's a baffling choice."

Stripp called on policymakers to listen to families' real struggles rather than rely on outdated narratives about poverty. While some school districts and community groups provide summer meal programs, many families in rural areas lack access to these resources due to transportation barriers and program limitations.


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The final deadline is approaching for members of the Texas Legislature to decide on participating in the Summer EBT program, which provides grocery benefits to low-income families with students.

The state did not participate in the program last summer.

Clarissa Clark, government relations officer for the North Texas Food Bank, said if lawmakers do not meet the March 1 deadline, they are essentially leaving federal dollars on the table.

"It's $450 million in federal taxpayer money that comes back to the state," Clark pointed out. "It helps with those who are food insecure, and it also puts money back into our economy, so there's a lot of wins to it."

To qualify for Summer EBT, families must meet the income requirements for the National School Lunch Program or be certified for school meals through SNAP or Medicaid.

The North Texas Food Bank is one of 80 organizations in the Texas Food Policy Roundtable calling for the program's implementation. The food bank could receive up to $60 million in benefits and help nearly 500,000 children in 12 north Texas counties.

Clark noted child hunger increases during the summer because students do not have access to school meals.

"The initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children, with $120 in food benefits on a debit card," Clark explained. "They can use that to buy food. If they don't get the summer meals, demand at our partner pantries goes up."

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission needs direction from the legislature to move forward with the program for Summer 2025.

Indiana farmers are helping food pantries meet rising demand for protein.

The program helping meet the moment is not new; however, it is being rebranded as Hoosier Hogs to Homes.

Jeanette Merritt, director of communications for the industry organization Indiana Pork, said the program started in 2009 and has provided one-point-six million ground pork meals to families in need.

"We launched the 'Million Meals Program' with the thought that we were encouraging our pig farmers, community members, agricultural businesses to donate either ground pork or funds to Feeding Indiana's Hungry," Merritt explained.

The nonprofit Feeding Indiana's Hungry said protein is one of the most requested items at food pantries. Families rely on ground pork because it is versatile and easy to cook. The program works to ensure food pantries can consistently provide the critical food item.

The contributions allow food pantries to buy and distribute ground pork statewide. Merritt emphasized the generosity of Indiana Pork farmers demonstrates the strong connection between farming and community well-being.

"Farmers are one of the most generous groups of people out there, and they're the last people ever to raise their hand and want to be recognized for it," Merritt contended. "We want to put the spotlight also on our pork industry about how much they give into their food pantries."

Feeding Indiana's Hungry reported food pantry lines continue to grow, and demand shows no signs of slowing. Hoosier Hogs to Homes highlights the essential role of agriculture in addressing food insecurity. The effort shines a light on the ongoing need for protein as food insecurity persists across the state.


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