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Council pauses Healthy Neighborhoods grants for redesign, directs $20,000 each to local food pantries in 2027
Summary
Council approved Resolution R15426 to pause the 2027 Healthy Neighborhoods competitive grant process and directly allocate $20,000 each to four local food pantries (Rooted, River Food Pantry, Allied Food Pantry, Badger Prairie Needs Network), totaling $80,000, while the program is evaluated and redesigned.
The Common Council voted to pause the Healthy Neighborhoods competitive grant process for 2027 and to provide direct allocations to food pantries after staff and committee review found food security a consistent priority. The resolution directs $20,000 each to four organizations previously served by the program — Rooted, River Food Pantry, Allied Food Pantry and Badger Prairie Needs Network — for an interim total allocation of $80,000.
Jessica, who presented the item, said the pause will allow staff to step back and redesign the program — it has not been evaluated in 10 years — while maintaining direct funding to agencies that deliver food assistance. “This resolution is to pause the 2027 Healthy Neighborhoods grant program… and while that program is paused to directly fund for food pantries within the healthy neighborhoods,” she said. Council members discussed whether the budget amount would be adjusted through the annual budgeting process; staff said the mayor’s proposed budget in September will provide further detail.
