In a significant move to address the escalating crisis of food insecurity in Milwaukee County, the Board of Supervisors, under Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson's guidance, has adopted robust measures to confront this pressing issue head-on. Following a unanimous vote, the board has earmarked $150,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) from the County's contingency fund. This allocation is aimed at offering emergency supplemental food assistance to those affected by the reductions in Wisconsin’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly referred to as FoodShare.
The resolution mandates DHHS to collaborate with local organizations that can proficiently distribute perishable, nutritious foods to the households most in need during this emergency. There's an expectation for the department to track measurable outcomes, with an obligation to report back to the County Board by March 2026 about its progress. Chairwoman Nicholson emphasized the essential nature of this initiative, stating, “Food security isn’t political—it’s essential. This $150,000 emergency fund will go directly toward getting fresh, healthy food on tables through trusted community partners,” according to the Milwaukee County Board release.
A separate measure, approved by a 17–1 vote, declares food apartheid a public health emergency in the county. The move responds to challenges in communities like Metcalfe Park, which faced greater food access issues after its only full-service grocery store closed. Building on the County’s 2019 declaration that identified racism as a public health crisis, the resolution directs DHHS and the Office of Equity to collaborate with partners on long-term solutions. The County will also incorporate food apartheid considerations into its racial equity budget tool and present a report on food insecurity strategies by March 2026.
Chairwoman Nicholson, the first Black Latina elected to her position, highlighted the necessity to recognize and act on the underlying issues of food scarcity by stating, “Declaring food apartheid as a public health emergency acknowledges that hunger in Milwaukee County is about more than a lack of resources; it’s about inequity.” She added that every community deserves a unified response to restore access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food. Both resolutions have garnered approval from the Board of Supervisors and anticipate County Executive David Crowley's endorsement for final adoption, according to the Milwaukee County Board release.
