By now most people are aware of the food insecurity crisis facing our greater community – partly the result of the federal government’s shutdown in October and November. The community responded in mass since then and the government is once again functioning, which gives the impression food is more secure. For many though, it is not.

Noah Bloedorn, interim executive director of REAP Food Group, feels this food need/response is an indication the overall food system is broken.

“We shouldn’t need to rely on donations to feed the community,” Bloedorn said.

REAP is a nonprofit founded in 1997 with a focus on building a better food system. It’s doing that through on-the-ground food programs and education materials, while also attempting to change food policies.

“Generally, were a small niche organization with a two-pronged approach to food systems – on the ground and policy,” Bloedorn said.

Some of its programs might be familiar. Like Farm to School, which connects local farmers with the Madison school district to get produce into lunch rooms and also provides lesson plans teaching where food comes from and about different foods’ taste. There’s also Food to Business – which connects restaurants and institutions with farmers – and the Food to Community program that directly provides food, CSA-style, for vulnerable communities to combat food insecurity.

Through programs like these, Bloedorn said REAP then identified barriers that hindered these efforts, things like infrastructure (transportation and storage of fresh food), processing of the food (cleaning, preparing and packaging) and cost. There’s also the connection barrier – connecting the growers with the end users.

Right now, there’s not an easy way for schools or restaurants to procure fresh food. They have to contact the individual growers. REAP’s annual Farm Fresh Atlas is one way they can connect but that can be cumbersome connecting with multiple individual growers. To make it easier and less time consuming, REAP is working with a software developer to create an online clearing house for the two groups to connect.

The second prong of REAP’s efforts is food policy. This is, in a sense, influencing local policymakers so a better, equitable food system is built. Bloedorn said too much of the nation’s crops are commodities needing processing and not for direct consumption. For example, most Midwest corn is grown for fuel.

“There’s a staggering statistic that 95% of Dane County crops are not grown for human consumption,” Bloedorn said.

Part of REAP’s food policy directive will be its publishing of the Dane County Food Action Plan in April. It will be an ambitious road map of sorts for the county’s policymakers to use when developing or improving food systems. It is being created in conjunction with multiple partners by analyzing data about food security in Dane County. There’s also been community engagement on the plan utilizing surveys, focus groups and townhall meetings.

“It’s gauging the community need for what a food system should look like,” Bloedorn said.

The action plan hopes to provide actionable strategies to ensure long-term food security, sustainability and community health by listening to diverse voices though the food chain to create a food system plan that best serves Dane County.

For more information on what REAP does or to learn more about the Dane County Food Action Plan, visit reapfoodgroup.org.

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