SNAP‑Ed cuts to end FoodWIse services; committee weighs resolution and local relief

At a Dunn County Community Resources and Tourism Committee meeting, Extension staff reported that the recent federal reconciliation bill eliminated SNAP‑Ed funding, which will end FoodWIse nutrition‑education services statewide and likely trigger layoff notices beginning Oct. 1 and continuing on Nov. 1 and Dec. 1 for affected UW–Madison Extension employees. The staff member said UW–Madison has provided limited funds to keep some employees on by seniority for a short period and that employees will receive benefits through the end of the month in which their employment ends.

The report was introduced by an Extension staff member and followed by Macy Leen, FoodWIse educator for Chippewa and Dunn counties. Leen described FoodWIse programming in the county and statewide impacts, including youth and adult behavior changes documented in recent evaluations. She said FoodWIse statewide reached tens of thousands of Wisconsinites, that many markets and schools used program materials, and that local farmers‑market incentive programs — including the Menomonie Farmers Market match — depended on FoodWIse support.

Why it matters: FoodWIse provides direct nutrition education in…