Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative

The Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative is a coalition of local organizations, nonprofits and universities that support food for all people-no matter what their resources are-at farmers markets in Central Wisconsin.

Vision

History

Vision

The Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative is dedicated to demonstrating that improving food for all provides a return on investment for farmer markets and food producers.

We are collaborating with our communities to increase connections to local food through embracing technology, networking and community engagement. Our target area for Central WI Farmers Market Collaborative work include the counties of Marathon, Wood, Portage, Waupaca, and Adams.

History

This project started in 2018, when the Stevens Point Farmers Market lost access to SNAP/EBT due to a loss of support and high administrative costs. For the next 8 years, different groups and organizations tried to solve this issue: how do we ensure access to local food for all of our community members, regardless of how they pay?

This question led us to research and learn that we were far from alone. Along the way, we started collaborating with nearby communities, and we realized our mission was bigger than simply bringing SNAP/EBT access to the Stevens Point Farmers Market– we wanted to improve access for everyone in our Central Wisconsin community– and keep our money local by supporting small businesses and farmer vendors.

In 2021, our creative team from multiple sectors was awarded a $200K federal LFPP (Local Food Promotion Program) planning grant to look at how we could better integrate food for all in the community, while supporting the unique needs of the regional farmers markets. Through additional funding, match dollars, and volunteer support, this project supported a part-time Regional Farmers Market Coordinator position, 2 UWSP Students, & 5 UW-Madison Students from a range of disciplines. We learned about the barriers and strengths of our communities, and ways that we could better impact both underserved communities and our farmer neighbors.

Top Left: Chef on the Square program at Stevens Point Farmers Market from 2016, Top Right: Farmshed at the Market banner back in 2016 at Stevens Point Farmers Market, Bottom: Newly implemented Farmers Market Information booth 2025 at Stevens Point Farmers Market

State of Affairs

The research that was done through the LFPP grant helped that same multi-sector team prove that more work was needed. In 2024 after many meetings and grant writing sessions Wood County Health Department was awarded a Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant titled, “Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative: Demonstrating a Return on Investment from Improving Food Equity at Farmers Markets.” For more information about FMPP grants check out the Farmers Market Coalition page.

This current FMPP grant has the following objectives:

Develop the systems and infrastructure to fully cement the Central Wisconsin Farmers Market Collaborative.

Increase local economic development through addressing barriers and inequities at farmers markets and improving access to technology.

Support new and growing market vendors through farmer engagement, technical assistance, and regional training opportunities.

Evaluate the social and economic impact of Central Wisconsin farmers markets.

This grant project will be in motion from 2025-2028 and is facilitated by current Regional Farmers Market Coordinator, Meliss Haack. In February 2025, the grant team hosted the Grant Kick Off meeting at the Food + Farm Exploration center. With over 40 participants, we are so excited to see where this work leads central WI and are confident we will see meaningful changes that will impact our communities and farmers market vendors throughout the region.