Menomonie Market Awards Largest Grants Yet to Area Farms in Seventh Year of Fund our Foodshed Award Program

(Menomonie, WI) - Menomonie Market Food Co-op’s Fund our Foodshed Grant Program has awarded
grants for the seventh year. The Fund our Foodshed program is funded by co-op customers through
round-ups of change at the registers, and a donation by the co-op. The program furthers the co-op’s
mission of creating a thriving, healthy foodshed by supporting the growth of regional farming, food
processing, and product development. This program started in 2018 with $2000 in awards; this year
the co-op is distributing over $22,000.

The Fund Our Foodshed Grant Program aims to help rebuild our rural community by providing crucial
support for local farming operations. The funded projects strengthen operational infrastructure and
increase food production. Small farms are vital to the health and sustainability of our rural
communities—they help maintain rural economies, steward valuable resources and ecosystems, and are
important incubators of new businesses and marketing opportunities.

In May 2024, the MMFC Fund Our Foodshed grant committee, comprised of co-op board of directors
and staff from both locations, reviewed applications and made selections based on a variety of
criteria—most importantly, the potential positive impact on the agricultural economy of the Chippewa
Valley.

The 2024 Fund our Foodshed Awards went to five area farms:
● Farm Doc Microgreens (Strum, WI), improvements to germination building
● Aqua Gardens (Rice Lake, WI), new watering system
● Growing Lots (Wheeler, WI), greenhouse work and plant start system
● Klemish Creamery (New Auburn, WI), covered trailer
● Jeremiah’s Fish Farm (Menomonie, WI) pond improvements

MMFC will share each farm’s project story through its social media and website. Watch for more
information throughout the year at mmfc.coop/fund-our-foodshed-grant-program/ or to see stories from
prior year’s recipients.

Menomonie Market Food Co-op is a fifty-year-old community-owned grocery cooperative whose
mission is to be central in building thriving healthy communities. MMFC offers full-service grocery, from
scratch deli and hot bar, local foods, and knowledgeable, friendly service to everyone. Menomonie
Market Food Co-op has two locations, one downtown Menomonie located at 814 Main Street and one
downtown Eau Claire located at 206 North Barstow Street. Store hours are 7am-9pm daily.