A coalition of agribusinesses and hunger relief groups urged Wisconsin lawmakers to address a need for $69.2 million in FoodShare funding, in the wake of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which shifted 75 percent of administrative costs to states.
Wisconsin must take action now before the end of the legislative session or face the potential for penalties of up to $205 million and would put benefits at risk.
FoodShare is a critical economic engine for Wisconsin’s food and agricultural sector. Each year, Wisconsin FoodShare participants redeem well over $1 billion in federally funded benefits at grocery retailers across the state.
“FoodShare is more than nutrition assistance,” said Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy. “Hundreds of millions of federal FoodShare dollars are used to purchase Wisconsin-grown and Wisconsin-made foods each year, supporting farms, manufacturing businesses, and jobs in every part of our state. Providing stability for FoodShare provides stability for Wisconsin agriculture, as well.”
“Farmer-owned cooperatives are central to Wisconsin’s agricultural economy, and FoodShare helps create reliable markets for their products while feeding Wisconsinites,” said Jennifer Wickman, Director of Government Affairs for Cooperative Network. “FoodShare dollars support local co-ops, strengthen rural economies, and help ensure Wisconsin-grown food is feeding Wisconsinites.”
Organizations that support the funding request:
- AARP Wisconsin
- American Heart Association
- Cooperative Network
- Dairy Business Association
- Disability Rights Wisconsin
- Feeding Wisconsin
- Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources
- Hunger Task Force
- Kids Forward
- Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin
- People First Wisconsin
- Survival Coalition
- United Way of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards
- Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
- Wisconsin Catholic Conference
- Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
- Wisconsin Council of Churches
- Wisconsin County Human Service Association
- Wisconsin Pork Association
- Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
- Wisconsin Public Health Association
Additionally, 165 organizations signed on to a letter to the Wisconsin State Legislature in support of the funding request.
