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RECENT NEWS
Hunger Task Force News & Features
Insights from the 2026 No Kid Hungry Summer Nutrition Summit
Tania Ramsey, Hunger Task Force’s Child Nutrition Organizer, shares insights from the 2026 Summer Nutrition Summit, hosted by No Kid Hungry in Washington D.C.
With Food Support from Hunger Task Force, Kinship Community Food Center Has Served Nearly 4,000 Households Over the Winter Holidays
Through a 30-year partnership, Hunger Task Force and Kinship Community Food Center help households access fresh, nutritious food during the winter months, supporting families, children and older adults with dignity.
Partner of the Month: Sargento
Hunger Task Force is pleased to honor Sargento as our Partner of the Month. Through innovative programs like Touchdowns for Hunger and Double Helping for Hunger, Sargento has helped Hunger Task Force deliver on its mission to provide free, healthy food to those in need.
Lauren Cochlin Supports Access to Fresh Foods Through Powering Milwaukee Forward
Lauren Cochlin of the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation reflects on partnership, local impact and supporting Hunger Task Force’s Mobile Market.
Hunger Task Force Launches “Connecting Farms to Families” Program to Address Statewide Hunger
Through Connecting Farms to Families, Hunger Task Force will use $2.5 million in grant funds to support hunger relief programs across Wisconsin — uniquely providing all food absolutely free of charge — including food pantries, meal programs, nonprofit organizations, Tribal Nations and members of the Hunger Relief Federation of Wisconsin.
Meet Hunger Relief Federation Member Rhinelander Area Food Pantry
Meet Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, a proud member of the Hunger Relief Federation. For 20 years, Rhinelander Area Food Pantry has been serving Wisconsin’s Northwoods with dignity, choice, and community-driven support.
Hunger Task Force Community Nutrition Education Empowered Healthy Choices For Families, Students and Older Adults in 2025
Discover how Hunger Task Force Community Nutrition Education reached thousands of Milwaukee neighbors this year, empowering students, families and older adults with practical nutrition skills, healthy recipes and tools for lifelong wellness.
Financial Stewardship in Action: Getting to Know Hunger Task Force CFO Lisa Feldmeier
Lisa Feldmeier, Chief Financial Officer at Hunger Task Force, plays a vital role in keeping Milwaukee’s only Free & Local food bank financially strong. From managing budgets and federal grants to supporting innovative programs like the Mobile Market, Lisa’s work helps ensure neighbors in need can access healthy food with dignity.
Partner of the Month: CareSource
Hunger Task Force is pleased to honor CareSource as our Partner of the Month. A national nonprofit managed care organization, CareSource has strengthened hunger relief efforts across Milwaukee through generous giving and active volunteerism.
Meet Kelsey Pederson, Volunteer Coordinator at Hunger Task Force
Hunger Task Force welcomes Kelsey Pederson as its new Volunteer Coordinator. With a decade of experience and a deep commitment to meaningful, mission-driven work, Kelsey leads volunteer engagement efforts that support our Free & Local mission to feed Milwaukee with dignity.
Hunger Task Force Celebrates Touchdowns for Hunger Success with Sargento and Packers Wide Receiver Matthew Golden
Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden joined Sargento at Hunger Task Force for the 2025 Touchdowns for Hunger Tailgate event, celebrating 23 seasons of partnership. The event recognized Sargento’s support of our Free & Local mission and the volunteers who help feed Milwaukee families.
Intern David Hamwi Teaches Healthy Habits to Support Stronger Milwaukee Neighborhoods
Discover how Community Nutrition intern David Hamwi strengthened Hunger Task Force’s hands-on education efforts, supporting healthier families across Milwaukee.
Hunger Task Force Winter 2025 Newsletter
Click to explore this convenient, digital version of the newest Hunger Task Force Newsletter! Read about Hunger Task Force’s work supporting Indigenous elders with culturally significant food, how we’re keeping nutrition education strong despite cuts, our work at The Farm, updates from our food bank and more information on ways you can support our efforts to end hunger for our neighbors in need.
End of Year Reflections from CEO Matt King: Hunger Task Force is Ending Hunger Through Community Support
Hunger Task Force CEO, Matt King, reflects on a year of rising need, community support and the mission to feed families with dignity during the holiday season and beyond.
Ray Simpkins Amplifies Community Support Through Outpost Partnership
Ray Simpkins, Chief Executive Officer at Outpost Natural Foods, leads with a vision centered on healthy, diverse and sustainable business practices while maintaining a strong commitment to Hunger Task Force.
Partner of the Month: CBS 58
CBS 58 goes beyond traditional broadcasting and become a catalyst for community generosity. Their signature holiday partnership with Hunger Task Force ensures that Thanksgiving isn’t just a season of thanks, but also a season of warm, healthy meals for Milwaukee families in need.
2025 Farm Season Wrap Up
In 2025, the Hunger Task Force Farm grew and distributed nearly 350,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for local families and seniors facing hunger. The Farm is Hunger Task Force’s largest single source of fresh food and provides culturally responsive produce based on the feedback of the families we serve.
Hunger Task Force Honors Veterans, Helps Army Alum David McCarter Secure Food and Housing
November 11 is Veterans Day, and Hunger Task Force honors those who are serving, or have served, in the Armed Forces. Read Army veteran David McCarter’s story on securing FoodShare benefits, housing and dignity after years of struggle.
Milwaukee’s Summer Meals Strategy Becomes a Blueprint for Rural Food Access
Summertime is a peak season for childhood hunger as students go without meals they would normally receive at school. To combat summer hunger, the federal Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children aged 18 or younger during the summer months. Hunger Task Force administers the SFSP in such a large and inclusive way that it’s often dubbed the “Milwaukee Model.”
Meet Mardi Smirl: Our Community Relations Manager and Lifelong Hunger Advocate
Mardi Smirl brings a deeply personal commitment to her role as Community Relations Manager at Hunger Task Force. Learn how this Milwaukee native connects corporate partners and community supporters to the city’s only Free & Local food bank, ensuring a vital safety net remains strong for her neighbors.
Food, Culture and Change: Hunger Task Force Nutrition Educator’s Insights from FNCE 2025
At the 2025 Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo, Hunger Task Force joined national leaders to explore the evolving MAHA movement and what it means for food security, culture, and dignity. Discover key takeaways shaping how we approach nutrition, advocacy, and equitable access to healthy, culturally meaningful food.
Creating a Place at the Table for Every Family: An Update from Our Development Director
Hunger Task Force must raise $4.9 million before year’s end to feed Milwaukee families in need. Discover how your holiday gift keeps food Free & Local and helps ensure every family has a place at the table.
The American Indian Council on Alcoholism Partners with Hunger Task Force to Foster Wellness and Preserve Food Sovereignty
The American Indian Council on Alcoholism (AICA) and Hunger Task Force work together to ensure Native elders have access to nutritious food that honors their health and heritage.
Amy Mutziger Champions Food For Families Through Corporate and Community Leadership
Amy Mutziger of Johnson Controls champions Hunger Task Force’s Food For Families, blending corporate leadership with community compassion.
Wrapping Up the 2025 Hunger Relief Federation Summit
Hunger Task Force is the founding member of the Hunger Relief Federation, which is a statewide association of independent food banks and food pantries. Over 115 anti-hunger advocates gathered October 2–3, 2025, in Green Bay, WI, for the annual Hunger Relief Federation...
Hunger Task Force Fall 2025 Newsletter
Click to explore this convenient, digital version of the newest Hunger Task Force Newsletter! Read about Hunger Task Force’s work advocating for local families, our work at The Farm, updates from our food bank and more information on ways you can support our efforts to end hunger for our neighbors in need.
Partner of the Month: Milwaukee Public Market
Milwaukee Public Market celebrates 20 years as a city icon and Hunger Task Force Partner of the Month, supporting food access and community impact.
Fall Reflections from CEO Matt King: Hunger Task Force Leads Bold Response to Growing Need
Amid historic flooding and rising need, Hunger Task Force and our community rose together to ensure families had food, support, and hope.
Hunger Task Force and Independence First Have Distributed More than 3,500 Stockboxes since 2021
Hunger Task Force and Independence First have provided 3,500+ Stockboxes since 2021, delivering nutritious food to Milwaukee seniors and ensuring access with dignity.
After Federal Cuts Hunger Task Force Steps Up With Farm to Food Bank Fund
Hunger Task Force’s Farm grows nearly half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables annually – a lifeline for the community and a welcome addition to our food bank’s offerings. On The Farm, over 70 varieties of 28 different crops are cultivated to ensure a well-rounded selection of healthy food for families in need.
Fall 2025 Nutrition Education Quarterly available online
Hunger Task Force doesn’t just feed people in our community – we help along their health journeys, too. Hunger Task Force offers a robust Nutrition Education Program committed to providing useful tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Check out this seasonal edition of our Nutrition Education Quarterly. Explore this seasonal publication for helpful tips on healthy eating, cooking skills, budget-friendly shopping and ways to fit physical activity in your day.
Hunger Task Force Celebrates Six Months at the Southside Community Resource Center
Hunger Task Force proudly opened the doors to our new Southside Community Resource Center at 802 W. Historic Mitchell Street in March 2025. Six months later, FoodShare Advocates have seen a steady increase in clients from diverse backgrounds, representing 23 languages, seeking support.
Reenie Kavalar Increases Access to Fresh Produce For Families in Need
Reenie Kavalar leads Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun’s Salinsky Program in boosting Hunger Task Force’s Farm to Food Bank Fund with $65K support.
Hunger Task Force and Hope Lutheran Food Pantry Have Partnered to End Hunger for Three Decades
At Hope Lutheran Food Pantry, families in Milwaukee’s 53208 ZIP code find more than food; they find dignity, cultural respect and a caring community. With support from Hunger Task Force, the pantry provides nutritious groceries, fresh produce and personalized care to more than 130 households each month.
With Food Support from Hunger Task Force, Good Samaritan Outreach Center Food Pantry Serves an Average of 460 Clients Monthly
For 40 years, Hunger Task Force and the Good Samaritan Outreach Center Food Pantry have partnered to fight hunger in Milwaukee, serving an average of 460 clients each month. With rising food prices, this partnership helps families stretch their grocery budgets, especially during the back-to-school season.