Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is calling on federal officials to take immediate action to extend FoodShare funding and prevent nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites from losing access to essential food and grocery assistance when the current funding expires in just five days.
“Food security is fundamental to the well-being of every Wisconsin family,” said Mike Semmann, WGA President/CEO, and added, “Grocers across the state – both in urban and rural communities – see firsthand how vital the FoodShare program is for families struggling to make ends meet. We urge policymakers to act swiftly.”
Wisconsin’s grocery workers are on the front lines of serving their communities, and the potential disruption of FoodShare benefits places additional strain on both customers and store employees. The WGA emphasizes that extending food assistance will help maintain stability for families, local grocers, and the broader Wisconsin economy.
“Wisconsin’s grocers remain committed to serving their communities, even as federal inaction creates uncertainty for families who rely on SNAP/FoodShare. This places our frontline grocery teams in the challenging role of explaining these impacts at the checkout. We urge our leaders to act swiftly so grocers can focus on what they do best – helping Wisconsin families put food on the table,” Semmann said.
ABOUT THE WISCONSIN GROCERS ASSOCIATION (WGA)
The Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) is a non-profit trade association established in 1900 to represent independent grocers and grocery chains, warehouses and brokers, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers before all levels of government. The WGA provides educational and networking opportunities, leadership training, public affairs, and compliance information for its membership.
WGA and its membership have significant economic impact in the state of Wisconsin. The WGA represents nearly 350 independent grocers with multiple locations across the state, more than 200 retail grocery chain stores, warehouses and distributors, convenience stores, food brokers and suppliers. Wisconsin grocers employ over 30,000 people with over $1 billion in payroll and generate more than $12 billion in annual sales in Wisconsin resulting in approximately $800 million in state sales tax revenue (data provided by The Food Institute).
