Food Insecurity

Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed this week to be “Feed Our Rural Kids Week”.FORK in Vilas County says it’s more than a recognition of the work they’ve been doing to fight food insecurity among kids in the Northwoods.

The Forest County Potawatomi Farm grows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, raises animals like pigs and bison, and even makes its own maple syrup and honey.All that food will soon be made more accessible to tribal members.

The pandemic brought a wave of new and extra assistance for households and food pantries.Many of the programs have either ended or been cut back at a time when food and other items are more expensive pre-pandemic.

One in four people in Wisconsin faces hunger according to Feeding America.Food insecurity impacts a lot of people in the Northwoods.Some local organizations and agencies are teaming up to shine a spotlight on what food insecurity looks like and the resources available.

Wisconsin residents receiving federal food assistance have now seen their final round of emergency aid prompted by the pandemic. Hunger-fighting groups have tips on how to ease the transition.

The U.S. government is ending the extra money for food provided to low-income people since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feed Our Rural Kids, or FORK, has reached a major milestone with its endowment fundraising.

At the end of this month, the temporary boost to SNAP benefits put in place during the pandemic will end.The loss of extra benefits coupled with the rising costs of basic food items will likely mean more food-insecure families.The Lakeland Pantry says it’s ready and is ready to welcome people.

Nicolet College is working to make sure students are taken care of on and off campus.It recently started its own food pantry for students.

Feed Our Rural Kids keeps expanding its presence in the Three Lake School District.It recently completed a pantry in the school.