Madison, WI – Yesterday, the Joint Finance Committee chose to exclude $30 million over the biennium from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection budget, which would have provided grants to nonprofit food assistance organizations to support the purchase of food products made or grown in Wisconsin. State Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) issued the following statement on the exclusion:
“Access to locally grown and produced food makes our citizens healthier. I’m disappointed to see this funding for food banks and food pantries cut from the state budget.”
“Fostering greater connections between Wisconsin agriculture and food assistance organizations is a win-win; a win for our farmers and a win for food banks who want to provide locally produced food to hardworking Wisconsinites who need it.”
“I stand ready to work with my colleagues to support our food banks and enhance their access to local agricultural producers.”
