Local Farmers and Menomonie Market Celebrate New Micro Grant Program to Benefit Local Farms and Food Producers

August 27, 2018 

(Menomonie, WI)-  Thursday, September 6th from 6-7:00 pm the Menomonie Market Food Co-op will host the first annual Fund our Foodshed Grant Review Open House. The event is free and open to the public.

The open house style event will feature storytelling from five local farms awarded grant funds from the co-op’s first annual Fund Our Foodshed Grant program. Funds for the program were raised by co-op customers through a round-up at the register program during the month of April, 2018. The program is a testament to the power of what a group of people can do when focused on a goal. Co-op customers rounded-up their purchases to the nearest dollar—with the average round-up donation was .45¢, with over 6,000 individual round-ups during the month of April!  Co-op customers raised $3,250 for the grant pool.

On September 6th the community will learn first-hand how and why this program came to life and hear stories from each of the five farms about their projects and the impact these projects have on their operations. Additionally, attendees will enjoy samples of foods made with products from each of the five farms.

“Part of the mission of Menomonie Market is to strengthen our local food system and help create a thriving, healthy community. This grant program is a big leap in that direction and is powerful because it harnessing the power of community.” says GM Crystal Halvorson. “Grant money donated from both the co-op and co-op customers directly supports production of the high quality, unique, and nutritious food that our community demands. And it helps newer Chippewa Valley farmers stabilize their operations”  

Menomonie Market Food Co-op is forty-five year old community owned cooperative whose mission is to be central in building a thriving, healthy community. The co-op offers a full service grocery, daily deli and hot bar, community classes, affordable products, and knowledgeable, friendly service to everyone. The market is located at 814 Main Street, Menomonie, WI.  Store hours are Weekdays 7am-8pm and Weekends 8am-7pm. www.mmfc.coop