Funding Rolls Out for Food Security Initiative Grants

Grant applications for the Food Security and Wisconsin Products Program are now open after the initiative received $10 million in continued funding through the 2025-2027 Biennial Budget. 

The program will provide funding to nonprofit food access organizations to purchase Wisconsin products, then distribute them to communities in the state at no cost to recipients. The program is designed to supply communities most in need with fresh, nutritious food, with all funds required to be spent on food purchasing. 

“There’s currently a gap in federal funding for local food procurement in our state, so the inclusion of funding for the Food Security Initiative in the most recent state budget comes at an important time for Wisconsin producers and communities,” WFU Government Relations Director Michelle Ramirez-White said. “This state-level Food Security Initiative is an important program that will benefit farmers and eaters alike.”

Applications for the grant program are due by Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Proposed projects will go through a competitive review process with a total of $5 million being awarded in early 2026. Funded projects may begin work as early as February 2026. 

Find more details on WFU’s policy related to local food procurement on pages 10, 51, and 59 in the policy book.