As we recognize National Nutrition Month, it’s an important time to highlight the role of nutrition in overall health and well-being. Across Wisconsin, many communities face significant challenges in accessing healthy foods, leading to high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment (AHW) is committed to addressing these challenges by investing in innovative, community-driven solutions that improve nutrition security and promote better health outcomes for all Wisconsinites.
Wisconsin faces alarming nutrition access issues, with 56% of the population affected by chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity— all conditions closely linked to inadequate nutrition. These health disparities are particularly severe in rural areas and disproportionately affect Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities. For example, 51.8% of Black adults in Wisconsin experience obesity, compared to 32.5% of White adults.
Food insecurity also remains a pressing issue, affecting 9.9% of Wisconsin households, with higher rates among single-parent families, Black and Hispanic residents, and individuals living in poverty. At the same time, Wisconsin ranks 49th in public health funding nationwide, making it clear that innovative, community-driven solutions are essential—especially in rural areas where access to resources and support is more limited.
AHW continues to invest in evidence-based, community-led initiatives that address food insecurity and increase access to nutritious foods. These recently funded projects are driving meaningful change across Wisconsin, from rural areas to urban centers.
In Wisconsin’s rural communities, limited access to nutritious food fuels persistent health disparities. To address this, the Green County Development Corporation is collaborating with a research team from the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), led by Katinka Hooyer, PhD, MS (Family Medicine), to develop sustainable nutrition access models for more than 350 families across four rural communities: Fond du Lac, Green, La Crosse, and Marshfield.
With support from $70,588 in AHW Seed Grant funding, the initiative will introduce nutrition access programs at key community gathering places, such as daycare centers, family resource centers, and schools. Led by local United Way teams and supported by health systems, businesses, and philanthropy partners, this project aligns with the White House Initiative on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, offering a model for scalable, long-term impact in rural communities.
In Monroe and Jackson Counties, food insecurity and limited access to fresh, healthy foods contribute to above-average obesity rates—a challenge that disproportionately affects pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. Research also shows that maternal health disparities are particularly severe among non-Hispanic Black mothers and those living in rural communities.
To address this, Great Rivers United Way, in partnership with an MCW research team led by Abbey Kruper, PsyD (Obstetrics & Gynecology), is implementing a home-based nutrition education program. This initiative, an expansion of the Healthy Births and Babies program, will provide:
Since its launch, Healthy Births and Babies has served 427 individuals. Now, with $76,945 in AHW Seed Grant funding, this new project will normalize healthy eating habits across generations and help create sustainable change for Wisconsin families.
The impact of food insecurity extends beyond physical health—it also affects mental well-being. Research shows that food insecurity is strongly linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges in children.
To address these interconnected issues, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, in partnership with MCW’s Jennifer Walsh, PhD (Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine), is leading the Faith Food Action Network. This initiative takes a mutual aid approach, leveraging trusted community spaces—particularly Black churches in southeast Wisconsin—to:
With $249,883 in AHW Momentum funding, this initiative is building sustainable, community-driven solutions that enhance both food security and mental well-being, especially in marginalized communities.
AHW remains committed to supporting innovative, community-led projects that improve nutrition access, reduce food insecurity, and enhance education on healthy eating across Wisconsin. These recently funded initiatives are part of a larger effort to create lasting change, ensuring that all Wisconsin residents, regardless of income or location, have equitable access to nutritious foods.
To learn more about the variety of projects AHW has funded, visit our Funded Projects Page on our website.