Wisconsin Groups Urge Lawmakers to Fund FoodShare Program

Coalition warns of potential $205 million in penalties if state fails to address SNAP funding shortfall

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A broad coalition of agribusinesses, hunger relief organizations, and advocacy groups in Wisconsin are calling on state lawmakers to provide $69.2 million in additional funding for the FoodShare program, the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The groups warn that without this funding, Wisconsin could face penalties of up to $205 million and risk disrupting essential food assistance benefits for over 6 out of 10 participants who are in families with children.

Why it matters

SNAP is a critical tool for reducing food insecurity, but federal changes have shifted 75% of administrative costs to states. If Wisconsin fails to fill this funding gap, it could jeopardize food access for vulnerable populations like families with children, older adults, and people with disabilities, while also straining the state's emergency food systems and hurting Wisconsin's agricultural economy that relies on SNAP dollars.

The details

The coalition, which includes groups like Feeding Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, and the Survival Coalition, is urging the state legislature to act before the end of the current session. They warn that without the $69.2 million in FoodShare funding, Wisconsin could face penalties of up to $205 million and put SNAP benefits at risk for over 6 out of 10 participants who are in families with children.

  • The Wisconsin state legislative session is rapidly approaching its end.

The players

Jackie Anderson

Feeding Wisconsin Executive Director.

Rebekah Sweeney

Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy.

Jennifer Wickman

Director of Government Affairs for Cooperative Network.

William Parke-Sutherland

Government Affairs Director, Kids Forward.

John Schnabl

Executive Director of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc.

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What they’re saying

“SNAP is one of the most effective tools to reduce hunger. When fewer households are able to access SNAP, food insecurity rises and food banks are forced to fill the gap. This puts significant strain on emergency food systems that were never meant to replace a national nutrition program.”

— Jackie Anderson, Feeding Wisconsin Executive Director

“FoodShare is more than nutrition assistance. Hundreds of millions of federal FoodShare dollars are used to purchase Wisconsin-grown and Wisconsin-made foods each year, supporting farms, manufacturing businesses, and jobs in every part of our state. Providing stability for FoodShare provides stability for Wisconsin agriculture, as well.”

— Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy

“Farmer-owned cooperatives are central to Wisconsin's agricultural economy, and FoodShare helps create reliable markets for their products while feeding Wisconsinites. FoodShare dollars support local co-ops, strengthen rural economies, and help ensure Wisconsin-grown food is feeding Wisconsinites.”

— Jennifer Wickman, Director of Government Affairs for Cooperative Network

“More than 6 out of 10 FoodShare participants are in families with children. Rising costs of housing, health care, and other bills make it harder for families to put food on the table, and hungry kids are less likely to learn in school and grow up healthy.”

— William Parke-Sutherland, Government Affairs Director, Kids Forward

“Many older adults worked hard throughout their lives, but now have low, fixed incomes that have very little wiggle room for rising costs. Older Wisconsinites shouldn't have to choose whether to pay for rent, needed medications, or food.”

— John Schnabl, Executive Director of the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc.

What’s next

The Wisconsin state legislature must act before the end of the current legislative session to provide the $69.2 million in FoodShare funding to avoid potential penalties and disruption of essential food assistance benefits.

The takeaway

Investing in the FoodShare program is critical not only for reducing food insecurity and supporting vulnerable populations, but also for sustaining Wisconsin's agricultural economy and rural communities that rely on SNAP dollars. Failure to act could have severe consequences for the state.