Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
09/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2026 08:10
September 30, 2026: DATCP to Begin Accepting Applications for the Tribal Elder Community Food Box Grant Program October 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2026
Contact: Haley Laufenberg, Public Information Officer, (608) 440-0294, haley.laufenb[email protected]
MADISON, Wis. - Beginning Thursday, October 1, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will accept applications for the 2027 Tribal Elder Community Food Box Grant Program (TECFB) through 11:59 p.m. on November 4, 2026. DATCP will award a total of up to $1.5 million through this program for 2027.
Funded in Governor Evers' 2025-2027 state budget, the TECFB is designed to provide grants to nonprofit food assistance organizations for the purpose of purchasing and distributing food to tribal elders and supporting the growth and operations of food producers and processors from Tribal Nations, as well as all Wisconsin food producers and processors.
Funds must be used to support tribal members and serve multiple Tribal Nations in Wisconsin. Strong proposals will clearly demonstrate shared decision-making power among all project partners, and that Tribal Nations participating in and receiving food have governance over food products moving through their pantries and to community members. Projects must collaborate with and partner on food security efforts with Tribal Nations in Wisconsin. Purchased food must be distributed to tribal members in Wisconsin at no cost. A minimum of 80% of the budget must be spent on food procurement. A maximum of 20% of the budget may be spent on other eligible expenses to implement or evaluate the project.
A total of $1.5 million is available and will be distributed through a competitive review process. These funds will bolster current efforts to purchase and distribute food to tribal elders and support Indigenous-based food producers. There is no minimum request amount, and applicants may apply for up to $1.5 million. No match is required.
Beginning October 1, grant information and application materials will be available at datcp.wi.gov. Please contact DATCP with questions at DATCPdadgrants@wisconsin.gov.
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Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection published this content on September 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 30, 2026 at 14:11 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]