As part of Feeding Wisconsin’s Policymaker Tour, an effort to raise awareness of hunger-related issues throughout the state, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin welcomed state legislators, legislative candidates, local elected officials, and community leaders to its Madison location. The event provided participants with a firsthand look at hunger in southwestern Wisconsin and showcased the collaborative statewide work underway to ensure every neighbor has access to nutritious food.The event brought together food bank leadership, Feeding Wisconsin, and pantry partners to discuss the realities of food insecurity in the community and explore how public policy influences access to food.
During the event, attendees toured Second Harvest’s operations, learned how food moves from donors to local pantries and meal programs, reviewed findings from Wisconsin’s recent statewide hunger study, and participated in a community discussion highlighting both the data and the personal experiences behind the numbers.
“Policymakers have an important role to play in making sure families, children and seniors have the resources they need to live healthy, full lives,” said Michelle Orge, President and Executive Director of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “When policymakers understand both the data and the lived experience of hunger in their communities, they are better equipped to make informed decisions that strengthen food security and our communities.”
Public policy decisions play an important role in helping families meet their basic needs. Investments in nutrition programs, support for Wisconsin farmers and food banks, and policies related to housing, healthcare, childcare, and transportation all affect a household’s ability to afford groceries and maintain long-term stability.
Wisconsin recently demonstrated the impact of partnership through a historic $10 million state budget investment supporting food banks and Wisconsin farmers. Events like the Policymaker Tour build on that momentum by strengthening relationships between policymakers and the organizations serving their communities every day.
The Policymaker Tour is designed to encourage ongoing dialogue between local officials and hunger relief organizations by helping policymakers better understand the unique needs within their districts and the opportunities to strengthen food security through informed policy decisions.
Moving forward, Second Harvest encourages policymakers to remain engaged with local food banks and pantry partners, use district-level hunger data when considering legislation and budget priorities, and recognize how decisions across many policy areas ultimately influence whether families can consistently afford healthy food.
