FoodWIse Extension Clark, Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties

08/25/2025

FoodWIse team members Mallory and Michelle recently visited The Neighbors' Place to share recipes, offer food samples made with ingredients from The Market, and provide resources to help guests make the most of the foods available to them to stretch their food dollars.

These efforts are made possible through SNAP-Ed, a program that has long supported nutrition education and access across Wisconsin. While funding for this program has been eliminated, we’re especially proud to highlight the meaningful work happening in our communities.

08/08/2025

🍓🥒🛍️It's Farmers Market Week!🛍️🫑🌽

FoodWIse Nutrition Educator Julia recently partnered with Healthfirst Network WIC to provide nutrition materials and resources at the Farmers Market of Wausau, helping families make the most of their market experience!

To support food access, FoodWIse also helped supply EBT signage to clearly show where FoodShare is accepted, and token pouches for vendors to stay organized for customers using benefits.

These small but meaningful tools help ensure that everyone feels welcome and confident shopping for fresh, local produce, and it is part of our commitment to making healthy food more accessible in our communities.

This work is supported by SNAP-Ed, a program that helps bring nutrition education and food access tools to families across Wisconsin.

08/07/2025

FoodWIse Nutrition Educator Hannah Wendels Scott has been a key part of nutrition education efforts in Wood County, helping students and families build healthy habits through SNAP-Ed-funded programming.

Her work has included:
- Teaching students how to prepare and enjoy fresh vegetables like zucchini
- Creating welcoming, hands-on learning environments that encourage kids to try new foods
- Partnering with schools, farmers markets, and food pantries to make nutrition education accessible

These efforts are part of a broader initiative that reached thousands of Wisconsinites annually. Unfortunately, SNAP-Ed funding was eliminated in the recent federal budget, meaning programs like FoodWIse will end this fall.

We’re proud of Hannah’s work and the lasting impact she’s made in our community. Her approach is fun, approachable, and evidence-based, and she has helped countless students and families feel more confident about food and health.

SNAP-Ed, a federally funded nutrition education program that accompanied SNAP benefits, was eliminated in President Donald Trump’s budget law.

07/28/2025

For over 30 years UW–Madison Division of Extension has provided local nutrition education throughout WI, funded by the federal SNAP-Ed grant program. FoodWIse educators have been a cornerstone of Extension’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Wisconsin residents. FoodWIse reaches over 133,000 people with nutrition education and community-based strategies to support healthy eating and active lifestyles by partnering with other organizations to engage children, families, and seniors.

The congressional budget reconciliation bill signed into law on July 4 eliminated all SNAP-Ed funding, which will result in a loss of services that have been vital to communities across Wisconsin. FoodWIse’s Nutrition Educators across the state have directly helped families with limited incomes make healthier choices for their future, and this impact will be felt in schools, food pantries, and community centers where our educators have helped families live healthier lives and stretch limited food dollars.

We’re incredibly proud of the work our educators and partners have done to support Wisconsin communities. While this news is difficult, we remain committed to promoting health and food access in every way we can.

To learn more, read the full article from Wisconsin Public Radio:
https://www.wpr.org/news/uw-extension-foodwise-nutrition-education-federal-funds-eliminated

UW-Madison Extension is ending its 30-year-old FoodWIse nutrition education program and laying off more than 90 people after losing a federal grant.

07/22/2025

Way to go Stevens Point School District Food Service Department!

Your Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch looked amazing! This event promotes healthy eating and recognizes hardworking Wisconsin farmers, like Cattail Organics! Your school can still participate in the crunch, learn more here:
https://dpi.wi.gov/community-nutrition/sfsp/celebrate-summer

07/17/2025

Join FoodWIse and communities across the state for the Wisconsin Great Cucumber Crunch, which is a fun, statewide celebration of healthy eating and local produce!

How to participate:

🥒Pick a time June-Oct to plan your Crunch
🥒Grab a cucumber (sliced, whole, pickled, or however you like it)!
🥒Take a bite and CRUNCH!
🥒Share your crunch on social media using and tag your school, organization, or community group!

FoodWIse educators can celebrate with schools, food pantries, and community partners by offering nutrition education, cucumber samples, and MyPlate resources to highlight the importance of fruits and veggies in our diets.

Programs like this are made possible through SNAP-Ed, which supports fun, educational events that make healthy eating more accessible and exciting for everyone. Learn more about the Cucumber Crunch here:
https://dpi.wi.gov/community-nutrition/sfsp/celebrate-summer

07/11/2025

At age 80, one Wisconsin StrongPeople Strong Bodies participant joined the program just to stay social, but found far more than expected.
After learning more about nutrition and safe movement through SNAP-Ed-supported classes, she made life-changing progress:
✔ Lost weight
✔ No longer uses insulin
✔ Recovered mobility and independence

FoodWIse delivers evidence-based programs that help prevent chronic conditions and promote healthy aging. Learn more: go.wisc.edu/SNAP-Ed-Works

At age 80, one StrongBodies participant joined the program just to stay social, but found far more than expected.

After learning more about nutrition and safe movement through SNAP-Ed-supported classes, she made life-changing progress:

✔ Lost weight
✔ No longer uses insulin
✔ Recovered mobility and independence

FoodWIse delivers evidence-based programs that help prevent chronic conditions and promote healthy aging. Learn more: go.wisc.edu/SNAP-Ed-Works

07/10/2025

FoodWIse is proud to offer the Wisconsin StrongPeople Strong Bodies program at the Lowell Center, led by Nutrition Educator Hannah and Bilingual Community Health Worker Ka Zoua. Together, they’re helping participants build strength, confidence, and connection through safe, research-based strength training.

Each session includes guided exercises to support mobility and independence and nutrition education to support healthy aging.

Programs like StrongBodies are made possible through SNAP-Ed, which supports community-based health and nutrition education. As funding for SNAP-Ed faces elimination, we’re reminded how important these programs are for the well-being of our neighbors, allowing participants to connect and encourage one another.

07/03/2025

FoodWIse Educator Julia and Healthy Communities Coordinator Michelle recently joined a local community event at the Children's Imaginarium and visited The Market at The Neighbors' Place to celebrate Dairy Month in June! FoodWIse provided information on dairy and the importance of calcium-rich foods for strong bones and healthy bodies.

These events are a great way to connect with community members, answer questions, and support healthy choices with practical tools and approachable nutrition education. This work is made possible through SNAP-Ed, which helps bring nutrition education to where it’s needed most.

07/01/2025

FoodWIse recently awarded a mini-grant to the Community Center of Hope, Inc. food pantry to support upgrades to their pantry shelving and displays. This was an effort to support PSE (Policy, Systems, and Environmental) changes that improve access to healthy food, and Healthy Communities Coordinator Michelle supported this effort. These changes helped make fresh produce more visible and appealing, encouraging guests to take home and enjoy more fruits and vegetables.

This project is part of our ongoing work to support healthy food access through SNAP-Ed, a program that helps communities make the healthy choice the easy choice. We're proud to partner with local agencies making a real difference.