Since its founding in 1984, Stepping Stones of Dunn County has been a resource to those facing food insecurity. In 2024 alone, Stepping Stones distributed 816,000 pounds of food through their food pantry. They served over 5,000 people in the Menomonie community and beyond.
Farmers Feed Dunn County is a Stepping Stones program that partners with local farmers to get a regular food supply. In his role, Mike Racette coordinates food donations, purchases, and Stepping Stones’ Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program grants.
As a beneficiary of the WI LFPA Program, Stepping Stones received local food deliveries through the WI LFPA Direct to Farmer grant. Racette also managed a 2024 WI LFPA Community Partner grant titled, “Farmers Feed Dunn County – Food Diversification Initiative. This aimed to expand the Farmers Feed Dunn County program by acquiring protein from local producers and diversifying produce for distribution to underserved communities in Dunn County.
Over the last 38 years, Stepping Stones has operated on the belief that all people have the right to nutritious food and that sufficient resources exist in the community to prevent hunger. Racette is proud of the work that Stepping Stones has done to serve the community.
“We’ve heard from volunteers and guests that the food at Stepping Stones is better than what they can get in the grocery store,” Racette said. “To me, that’s how I know this is working and we’re doing well. My goal is to have the best locally grown farm products available because everybody deserves good food.”
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