The BRICK Uses its $40,000 Grant through Connecting Farms to Families to Stock Pantry Shelves with Wisconsin-made Products

Hunger Task Force launched Connecting Farms to Families to address statewide hunger. As the recipient of a $2.5M grant through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), this funding – part of a $10 million investment in Wisconsin’s 2025-27 state budget created by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin State Legislature – connects local nonprofit food assistance programs with local producers to keep pantry shelves stocked with nutritious and locally produced food.

Through Connecting Farms to Families, Hunger Task Force uses 100% of grant funds to support hunger relief programs across Wisconsin. To provide additional healthy foods to emergency food organizations across the state, Hunger Task Force invested $1M in private funding – through its Farm to Food Bank Fund – to provide additional food purchasing grants to emergency food partners across Wisconsin.

Through the program, The BRICK – serving Ashland and Bayfield counties – received a $40,000 grant to purchase fresh food for the nearly 550 households it serves every month. As a grant recipient, the emergency food provider has the purchasing power to procure its own food from local producers, ranchers and growers.

“Being able to do our own food purchasing is wonderful and empowering. It allows us to schedule our food deliveries for the most optimal times and select the foods that most appeal to our community,” shares Liz Seefeldt, executive director of The BRICK.

Through its Connecting Farms to Families grant, The BRICK has consistently provided gallons of fresh, locally sourced milk in addition to an assortment of local cheeses, ground beef, breakfast sausage, broccoli, pure maple syrup, trout and whitefish for individuals and families visiting the pantry.

“If we didn’t receive the Connecting Farms to Families funds, we couldn’t purchase the fresh items we did because they’re expensive. Those are things that we’re not buying without the grant,” adds Liz. “The producers and growers are excited to have the sale and partner with local hunger relief organizations like us to provide pantry shoppers with real, healthy food that they deserve.”

Residents in need of food support can visit The BRICK’s Food Shelf once each month to receive free groceries to last between three and five days. For more information about the organization, visit thebrickcares.org.

Hunger Task Force is Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader and Free & Local food bank. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.