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Milwaukee Food Council summit to address community food issues

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 19th 2025 at 20:01 GMT by fox6now
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Milwaukee Food Council Summit Seeks to Tackle Community Food Challenges

On Saturday, the Milwaukee Food Council convened its first full‑scale summit to address a litany of food‑related issues that have long plagued the city. The three‑day event, held at the city’s convention center, drew more than 200 participants ranging from local chefs and farmers to city officials, nonprofit leaders, and residents from neighborhoods that have historically struggled with food access. The summit, organized by the non‑profit Milwaukee Food Council, was a clear signal that city leaders and community stakeholders are serious about turning the city’s food system into a source of resilience, nutrition, and economic opportunity.

Setting the Stage

The council’s president, Chef Maria Lopez, opened the summit by noting that “food is a right, not a privilege.” She highlighted the stark reality that, according to the latest USDA Food Access Research Atlas, nearly 30 % of Milwaukee’s residents live in food deserts and that roughly one in five families experiences food insecurity. The council’s mission is to bridge the gap between supply and demand, ensuring that every Milwaukeeian has access to affordable, nutritious food.

Mayor Tom Barrett, who was present in a pre‑recorded segment, underscored the city’s commitment to a “food‑secure Milwaukee.” He announced that the city would now receive a $2 million grant from the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program, earmarked for expanding access to fresh produce in underserved neighborhoods.

Core Topics Covered

The summit’s agenda was broken into four thematic tracks:

1. Access & Affordability
   Stakeholders examined how to increase the number of grocery stores and farmers’ markets in low‑income districts. A group of city planners presented data showing that, after adding a new Super‑Mart in the East Side, foot traffic in that area could rise by 15 %. A panel of local grocers shared their experience with “produce subsidies” – small coupons that reduce the price of fresh fruit and vegetables for low‑income shoppers.

2. Nutrition & Education
   Nutritionists from the Milwaukee County Health Department explained how to expand community cooking classes. They highlighted a pilot program in the North Side that taught families how to prepare meals from $5–$8 budgets. A chef from the Milwaukee Institute of Culinary Arts emphasized the importance of incorporating culturally relevant foods into menus for minority communities.

3. Local Food Production & Agriculture
   The summit spotlighted city‑run community gardens and rooftop farms that can provide fresh produce while reducing food miles. An agriculture specialist from the University of Wisconsin‑Milwaukee discussed a new research center focused on “food equity” that will collaborate with city officials to evaluate the impact of urban agriculture on local food security.

4. Food Waste & Sustainability
   A session led by the Milwaukee Food Bank revealed that the city discards over 1.2 million pounds of food each year. Participants explored ways to divert this waste to food‑bank distribution, composting, or “food‑sharing” initiatives. A local startup that uses AI to match restaurants with surplus food was also showcased.

Voices from the Community

One of the summit’s highlights was a round‑table discussion that included residents of the West Side, a community that has long fought for better food options. Maria Sanchez, a West Side resident and food pantry coordinator, shared that “when the city finally brings a fresh‑produce van to our neighborhood, it’s more than just food – it’s a reminder that we matter.”

Nonprofit leaders, like the executive director of Hope Kitchen, spoke about their “Meal‑a‑Week” initiative, which partners with local churches and food banks to distribute nutritionally balanced meals. They argued that the city’s new grant could expand their reach by an additional 500 families.

Concrete Outcomes

By the summit’s end, the council unveiled a six‑point action plan:

• Food Hub Creation – A centrally located hub in the South Side will house a fresh‑produce distribution center, a community kitchen, and a small‑scale food‑processing facility.
• Mobile Food Pantry Expansion – Two new mobile units will visit neighborhoods that lack permanent grocery stores.
• “Farm‑to‑Table” Grants – A $250,000 grant program will support local farms and restaurants that source 60 %+ of their produce locally.
• Nutrition Education Curriculum – A city‑wide curriculum will be rolled out in elementary schools to teach children about healthy eating.
• Food Waste Reduction Metrics – The city will adopt a new reporting system to track food waste and redistribute surplus food to charities.
• Community Garden Incentives – Low‑income homeowners will receive seed grants and toolkits to establish gardens on vacant lots.

Mayor Barrett announced that the city will formalize the first two items within the next fiscal year, and the council will publish a detailed roadmap for the remaining four actions.

Looking Ahead

The Milwaukee Food Council Summit serves as a concrete starting point for turning long‑standing food inequities into actionable solutions. While the city’s grant and policy changes signal a positive shift, community leaders stressed that sustained commitment from all sectors—public, private, and nonprofit—is essential. “We need to keep our eyes on the goal: a Milwaukee where every child, family, and senior has reliable access to fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food,” said Chef Lopez in her closing remarks.

For residents eager to learn more about upcoming initiatives, the council’s website now hosts an interactive map of all new food‑related projects slated for 2025. The summit’s success demonstrates that when city leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members collaborate, tangible progress toward a food‑secure future is within reach.