WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (OnFocus) – Wisconsin Rapids, WI —The Wood County Health Department, in partnership with the Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative (CWFMC), has been awarded a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). The grant is focused on supporting farmers markets in utilizing technology, being more organized, and easier for everyone to use, while connecting communities with fresh, local food.
This project focuses on addressing challenges in Central Wisconsin’s farmers markets, especially in rural areas where access to fresh, nutritious food is limited. The region, which spans five counties and serves a population of approximately 350,000 people, has just over a dozen farmers markets spread across nearly 5,000 square miles. Many of these markets struggle with limited resources, a lack of paid market managers, and insufficient outreach to low-income communities, including food assistance recipients.
This project will focus on four main strategies to strengthen farmers markets in Central Wisconsin. It will support a strong regional farmers market network, boost local economic development by removing barriers and improving access to technology, support new and existing vendors through training and technical help, and evaluate the social and economic impacts of these efforts across the region.
The project builds on the work of the CWFMC, which was established during a previous USDA planning grant. The collaborative includes a broad network of farmers, market managers, local businesses, and community stakeholders who have been working together to identify needs and develop solutions to improve food access in rural communities. This new funding will allow the Collaborative to continue supporting five markets that were part of the original 2021–2023 planning grant: Wisconsin Rapids Downtown, Stevens Point Downtown, Wausau, Waupaca, and Rome. In addition, the 2024–2027 grant expands support to seven more markets, including three winter markets (Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Stevens Point), two rural markets (Marshfield and Clintonville), and two potential new pilot markets in Plover and Adelante Restaurant in Almond.
“We are excited about the opportunity to enhance food access and collaboration at Central Wisconsin farmers markets through this USDA grant,” said Kristie Egge, Supervisor of Strategic Initiatives at the Wood County Health Department. “Farmers markets are a cornerstone of healthy communities, but many in our region face barriers when it comes to technology and capacity to grow and expand their customer base. This grant will help address those challenges and create a more coordinated, sustainable food system.”
The USDA funding comes at a critical time, as rural communities in the region face increasing challenges related to economic instability and access to affordable fresh food. By improving the infrastructure of farmers markets and providing support for both vendors and customers, this project will create a more robust food system in the region.
“This grant will enable us to make meaningful changes that benefit both farmers and the communities they serve,” said Meliss Haack, Regional Farmers Market Coordinator, who was hired to facilitate the work of this project. “By helping farmers markets grow, diversify, and better serve their customers, we’re building a stronger local food economy and improving access to healthy food for everyone in Central Wisconsin.”
For more information about the Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative or to learn how you can get involved, contact Meliss Haack at [email protected].
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Author: News Desk
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