Coming Soon…
Overview
The Foodshed Partnership is a forward-thinking initiative designed to strengthen our local food system by bridging the gap between local farmers and a wide range of community markets, from grocery stores and restaurants to food pantries. By functioning as a centralized hub for aggregation, processing, and storage, it will support farmers—particularly those from historically disenfranchised and underserved backgrounds—who often face barriers to infrastructure and wholesale market access.
In collaboration with key organizations like FairShare CSA Coalition, REAP Food Group, Pasture and Plenty, and the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, the Foodshed Partnership aims to ensure that fresh, local produce reaches every corner of our community. With a climate-adaptive, fairness-centered approach, this partnership is committed to fostering a resilient and welcoming local food system that supports both farmers and underserved communities alike.
Impact
This facility will expand the capacity of the middle tier of the local food system to deliver convenient, minimally processed produce, un-processed produce, and ready-to-eat food made with local, seasonal ingredients year-round. This will allow for increased purchasing and distribution of local foods through businesses and food pantries.
Pantry Benefits
In 2023, CAC’s partner food pantries received over 672,000 visits. This is a massive potential consumer base for foods donated to pantries through our Foodshed Partnership services. Residents of Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha counties collectively require an additional $37,895,000 worth of food to adequately meet the needs of food-insecure households (Feeding America’s 2021 Map the Meal Gap Report).
Community Benefits
Ultimately, the Dane, Jefferson, and Waukesha County communities are the main beneficiaries of the Foodshed’s improvements to the food system. The Foodshed will broaden the products available within our local food supply network, create good jobs, and reduce waste in our landfills.
