Willy Street Co-op is living up to their promise to help struggling farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 1st the Co-op announced they would match two funds to support farmers. Today they are excited to announce that both initiatives have met their goals.
“Farmers are the lifeline of the local food supply. When they suffer we suffer,” said Brendon Smith, Communications Director for Willy Street Co-op. “During this time of crisis, the Co-op is doing everything we can to make sure our farmers, suppliers, customers, and employees are taken care of. Our food supply chain has to adapt to make sure Madison’s economy stays strong, and we know that starts with our local farmers.”
Dane County Farmers’ Market/FairShare Emergency Farmer Fund:
Just 13 days after the match program for the Dane County Farmers’ Market/FairShare Emergency Farmer Fund was announced, donors contributed over $5,000. That means the Co-op will match that full amount. The money will help the Co-op’s member farms and food producers whose income has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. “We’re not just talking about the same challenges many of us are experiencing, but also restaurant closures, limited availability of meat processors, and higher expenses,” said Smith. “Farms will be able to apply funds to essential loan and mortgage payments to ensure they can stay on their land and keep their businesses afloat, as well as support employee wages.” The Fund is only $7,000 away from meeting its current goal of $50,000. Click this link for more information.
REAP Food Group and Roots4Change Farms To Families Emergency Initiative:
REAP Food Group and Roots4Change Farms To Families Emergency Initiative has raised $5,000 since the announcement of that goal on May 1st. Willy Street Co-op will match that amount. The Initiative helps purchase fresh, healthy, locally grown food from regional family farms and provide it to Madison-area Latino/Indigenous residents and families hard-hit by job loss, food insecurity, lack of access to social services, and federal anti-immigration provisions. They still need about $7,000 to meet their goal of $60,000. Any funds raised beyond that goal mean that more hungry families will have more local food for more weeks. Click this link for more information
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