Meet Hunger Relief Federation Partner Door County Food Pantry Coalition

Jul 8, 2026

Hunger Task Force is the founding member of the Hunger Relief Federation, a statewide network of independent food banks and food pantries working together to strengthen hunger relief efforts across Wisconsin. The Door County Food Pantry Coalition, a fund of the Door County Community Foundation,. joined the Federation in 2021 and has benefited greatly from its membership.

Over the past two years, the Door County Food Pantry Coalition has experienced a nearly 25% increase in traffic to its network of 11 local food pantries. With the changes to FoodShare eligibility in effect, it’s estimated that 150 to 200 Door County residents may lose their benefits completely putting even more pressure on local food pantries.

To meet the increasing demand for food assistance in the area, the coalition partners with a variety of local businesses that are eager to help their neighbors in need.

“We partner with a local farm that gives us eggs that are too big or small for their retail standard, a local fish company to provide salmon and a variety of local orchards and farms,” shared Adam Peronto, Philanthropic Services Officer at Door County Community Foundation, Inc. one of the Coalition’s conveners, “Through the $20,000 Connecting Farms to Families grant from Hunger Task Force we really broaden our horizons on the ways we can get healthy food into our network of pantries. We recently put in an order for three hogs, a steer, 850 pounds of chicken and 725 pounds of fresh cheese, all from local producers that’ll feed local individuals and families.”

In addition to connecting the coalition with financial support, the Hunger Relief Federation has helped the organization connect with a larger network of professionals working to address food insecurity and opened the doors to partnerships with local small and mid-size producers to increase the volume of fresh and healthy food clients can receive. In 2025, the Door County Food Pantry Coalition procured 65,000 pounds of food for member pantries, which is a 176% increase compared to the prior year.

“We’ve been connected regionally with people who we’re able to share assets and resources with,” adds Adam. “We did a big apple initiative where apples from Door County are getting connected down into food pantries in Kewaunee County, Green Bay and Manitowoc. From Manitowoc, we’re receiving onions and potatoes here in Door County. This collaboration would never have happened if we weren’t a part of the Hunger Relief Federation.”

The Door County Food Pantry Coalition’s participation in the Connecting Farms to Families program has enabled the organization to forge partnerships with more local producers and hunger relief organizations to provide high quality, fresh foods to clients across the 11 member pantries. To find a listing of all the pantries and their hours of operation, please click here.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. 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.