Wisconsin Senate Bill SB713

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/21/23
• Refer: 11/21/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Creating a food security grant program and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

The introduction of SB713 could significantly enhance the ability of nonprofit organizations to procure local food products, thereby promoting Wisconsin's agricultural sector. By focusing on supporting organizations that provide food assistance, the bill potentially addresses issues of hunger and food insecurity within the state. The allocation of substantial funding specifically for the purchase of Wisconsin products is aligned with local economic interests and is likely to encourage the purchasing of fresh produce from local farmers, benefiting both the food assistance organizations and the agricultural community.

Summary

Senate Bill 713 aims to address food security in Wisconsin by establishing a food security grant program. This legislation allows the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to award grants to food banks, food pantries, and other nonprofit organizations engaged in food assistance activities. The bill sets aside an annual appropriation of $15,000,000 that can be utilized biennially, dividing this amount equally across two fiscal years to support local food sourcing and distribution efforts.

Contention

While the bill has an overarching aim of improving food security, there may be points of contention regarding the distribution of grants and oversight of the program. Some stakeholders might raise concerns about the effectiveness of the grants in addressing systemic issues related to food access and the sufficiency of the allocated budget to meet the demands of organizations involved in food assistance. Furthermore, there could be discussions around ensuring accountability and transparency in how these funds are utilized by the recipient organizations.