DATCP accepting Food Security and Wisconsin Products grant applications

WISCONSIN – Applications are now being accepted for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's (DATCP's) Food Security and Wisconsin Products grant program.

A release from DATCP said Governor Tony Evers secured continued funding for the program through a $10 million investment in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget.

The program provides funding to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of purchasing food for Wisconsin's food security network, as well as to support the growth and operations of Wisconsin food producers and processors, DATCP explained.

“Projects must collaborate and partner together to expand and strengthen Wisconsin's food security network,” DATCP stated. “Strong proposals will demonstrate a clear capacity to purchase Wisconsin foods and increase the availability of those products at food access sites throughout the state. Purchased food must be distributed to communities in Wisconsin at no cost. Funds must be used to support Wisconsin suppliers and serve communities in Wisconsin, with 100 percent of the budget spent on food purchasing.”

DATCP said the Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant Program “follows the lead of Evers' Food Security Program.”

“Initiated during the pandemic, the Governor's Food Security Program allocated $65 million in funding to assist those in need while also connecting those who are food insecure to Wisconsin producers and products,” DATCP said. “Because of these efforts, food distribution partnerships were connected and relationships were developed with Wisconsin producers and processors, connecting farmers to consumers in a new and necessary way. As food security organizations cite Wisconsin households as continuing to experience food insecurity, the Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant Program aims to meet the issue head on while supporting Wisconsin producers.”

“The Food Security and Wisconsin Products Grant Program provides relief to those with insufficient access to food while also strengthening Wisconsin's farm-to-fork network," said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Thanks to the continued food security investments made by Governor Evers, Wisconsin communities, producers, processors and others benefit."

A total of $5 million will be awarded through a competitive review process. Selected projects may begin project work in Dec. 2026.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Grant information and application materials are available at www.tinyurl.com/ycyzvdsb.

For more information about the program, contact DATCP at DATCPdadgrants@wisconsin.gov.