ACTION!!! LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS NEED YOUR HELP TO SECURE FUNDING!!!
In the upcoming weeks, the Wisconsin Joint Finance committee is holding Town Hall meetings throughout Wisconsin. Attending one of these meetings is the perfect opportunity to show your support and help secure funding for the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program and a new initiative we are advancing to support Farm to School.
BUY LOCAL, BUY WISCONSIN
The Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) program is Wisconsin’s first statewide program supporting local foods. BLBW was able to provide its first round of grants last fall, and has already proven itself to be effective and needed. A few key points:
• BLBW creates economic growth. In its first six months alone the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program has created over a half million dollars in new sales of local foods.
• Demand for BLBW exceeds its resources. Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin received 94 applications requesting more than $3.4 million, but was only able to fund seven projects for a total of $225,000.
• Stressed state budgets threatened to cut this program. Because of proposed across the board cuts, the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin budget may be cut by 6% — a significant cut to an already underfunded program
• We understand Wisconsin’s fiscal crisis and are not asking for an increase; we are asking that the program not be cut. In economic times such as these, programs that have already proven to create real economic development should be maintained.
• PLEASE ASK TO SUPPORT FUNDING OF BLBW AT IT’S ORIGINAL AMOUNT OF $225,000.
FARM TO SCHOOL
One critical constituency for local food, especially fruits and vegetables, is Wisconsin’s children. Unfortunately, childhood obesity rates in Wisconsin are rising at a significant rate. Directly linked with type 2 diabetes among other diseases, childhood obesity not only contributes to rising health care costs, it is also compromises the well-being of our next generation. By supporting Farm to School initiatives, Wisconsin can continue its efforts to get nutritious foods like fresh fruits and vegetables to our children, while supporting our local farms. A coalition is forming to pass legislation that supports Farm to School initiatives. Here are some important points to know about those efforts:
• Schools across Wisconsin are looking for Farm to School programs as a way to serve their students fresher foods, increase fruit and vegetable intake, and provide nutritional education while building markets for Wisconsin’s farmers.
• Farm to School will also help the Wisconsin economy as we take money that we are currently sending out of the state for school lunches and redirect it to farmers right here in Wisconsin.
• Despite all these benefits, Farm to School programs don’t just happen. They take a concerted effort, knowledge, and assistance to create a successful program.
• We propose increasing the state reimbursement rate to give schools the ability to buy more local foods, creating a statewide Farm to School Coordinator, and creating a grant program to enable schools to jumpstart these programs.
• PLEASE ASK TO SUPPORT FARM TO SCHOOL.
Please attend a Joint Finance Committee Town Hall meeting near you to show your support for funding Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin and our proposed Farm to School initiatives. **Tip: The wait to speak can be quite long, so get there early!
Joint Finance Committee Town Hall meetings:
Monday, March 23, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
American Legion
Banquet Hall
1116 Angelo Road
Sparta, WI 54656
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
State Fair Park
Banquet Room #2
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
Friday, March 27, 2009
10:00 AM - 4:00 P.M.
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Haas Fine Arts Center, Gantner Concert Hall
121 Water Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Monday, March 30, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
J.I. Case High School
Theater
7345 Washington Avenue
Racine, WI 53406
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Lawrence University
Stansbury Theater (Music Drama Center)
420 E. College Avenue
Appleton, WI 54911
Friday, April 3, 2009
10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Amundson Community Center
Cambridge Municipal Building
200 Spring Street
Cambridge, WI 53523
