MADISON, Wis. – Making sure families are fed is a Wisconsin value that Legislative Democrats are working to protect. Upcoming bills would turn this value into action and security for Wisconsinites.
“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, and in America’s Dairyland, feeding folks is a Wisconsin value,” said Representative Jenna Jacobson (D – Oregon). “These bills are a clear way to support Wisconsinites impacted by failure at the federal level. We must act now to uplift Wisconsinites harmed by food insecurity,”
Rep. Jacobson outlined four bills that will directly improve food access in the state in times of increased need. The Food Security Grant Program will create a program that supports farmers and community organizations against losses due to disruptions.
In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites faced confusion regarding November FoodShare benefits due to Republican efforts to withhold funding for this assistance. “When the President withheld SNAP funding,” said Rep. Jacobson at a press conference on November 13, “it brought chaos to our state. Suddenly parents were unsure of how they were going to feed their children, seniors were unsure of when their next meal was going to be, and everyone was left asking what more our state could do.” Legislation to support farmers and families in the state through these grant programs is a common sense response to continued chaos caused by the Trump Administration.
Legislation to provide breakfast and lunch for students was also featured at the event. The Healthy School Meals for All bill would save the average family $154 per month per child while ensuring students have the nutrition needed to thrive.
While Gov. Evers ensured that Wisconsin families could access necessary food assistance during the government shutdown, Wisconsin Legislative Democrats emphasized that legislators support these common sense bills intended to support Wisconsinites in future times of uncertainty.
