The F.R.E.S.H. Project-Shawano Farmers Market

In November of 2015, a coalition of organizations, including the Shawano County Planning Department, the Shawano-Menominee Counties’ Health Department, and Shawano County UW Extension, received a grant from the national Plan 4 Health program to assess the food needs of Shawano and Menominee Counties and to create the capacity to address those needs. Shawano County served as fiscal agent for this coalition. In the spring of 2016, the study group was formed under the auspices of the grant, expanding the project to include the Ho Chunk Nation, the Menominee Nation, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. The Project’s Core Team, made up of representatives from its various partners, created a mission statement and a vision statement in the summer of 2016. The Project’s mission is to build the foundation for healthier, accessible, and sustainable food systems by increasing food security, educating, and engaging the community, and its vision is food systems that promote a healthy diet for all, increase food security, strengthen community, educate the public, and support practices which respect the environment, people, and their cultures. The group conducted a F.R.E.S.H. Project survey during the summer of 2016 to assess the food needs of residents of Shawano County. Two sessions of leadership training took place in the fall of 2016, sponsored by the Project’s Core Team to increase the capacity of the group’s Core Team as well as other community leaders in the area to address the region’s food needs. The results of the survey were publicized late in the fall of 2016. More than one-third of the respondents who participated in the survey did not have enough food in their homes or money to buy the food needed for their families. It was also determined that large sections of Shawano County are labeled as “food deserts”, which are areas with low household incomes and limitedaccess to healthy food. In addition, many of the families do not have sufficient transportation to travel to towns that have lower cost grocery stores and/or food pantries. Upon analysis of the data from the survey, as well as training in creating positive community change and in food system development, the Project’s Core Team developed a strategic plan aimed at carrying out its mission and vision. That strategic plan called for a focus in three areas: We received many requests for garden seeds. We tripled our free seeds and provided growing tips to anyone wanting to grow their own garden. As the pandemic continued throughout the summer, we were able to reallocate educational grant funds to support our CSA/Mobile Market programs. More families, seniors, and intellectual adults received free CSA boxes and we had a tremendous increase with our Double Bucks program at the Shawano Farmers Market. The Shawano Farmers Market was a new experience for us. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we were designated as a food essential program, allowing us to continue the market with the necessary safety guidelines. While crafters were prohibited to joining us this summer, we offered free advertising for them on our social media platforms. Many of our fundraising activities have been canceled. We are finding new, created ways to raise the funds we require to run our programs. We offered dairy/meat CSA boxes once a month for three months. This program was a success fundraiser, while supporting our local farmers. 100% of your donation goes towards enhancing our F.R.E.S.H. Project programs You can Venmo us at @FRESH-Project Or mail a check to:The F.R.E.S.H. ProjectP.O. Box 481Shawano, WI  54166 The F.R.E.S.H. Project collaborates with local food pantries and other resource venues, working together to provide good food for everyone. View the F.R.E.S.H. Project local farmers directory. Learn about our two programs; F.R.E.S.H. Education and F.R.E.S.H. Gardens and how they work in our communities.