Resource Details
Business, Food Systems
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grant
Launched in 2008, the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) competitive grant program is designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural and food industries by working to reduce the marketing, distribution, and processing hurdles that impede the expansion of sales of Wisconsin’s food products to local purchasers. Managed by DATCP, the grants can help farms and business more efficiently process, market and distribute food in local markets including stores, schools and institutions. Keeping food dollars in Wisconsin communities supports local businesses, improves farm incomes, and creates jobs. A total of $300,000 is available in grant funding through the program; the maximum award for each project is $50,000, and grant applicants must provide a cash or in-kind match of at least 50 percent of the total project budget. Generally, qualified applicants include individuals, groups or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments or agricultural tourism operations. Proposals can include individual projects, collaborations or partnerships.
Eligibility
A total of $300,000 is available in grant funding through the program; the maximum award for each project is $50,000, and grant applicants must provide a cash or in-kind match of at least 50 percent of the total project budget. Generally, qualified applicants include individuals, groups or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments or agricultural tourism operations. Proposals can include individual projects, collaborations or partnerships.
Top Benefits
- Competitive grant program to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural and food industries by mitigating barriers in local food channels, increasing efficiencies in processing, marketing, and distributing local food in markets including stores, schools, and institutions.
- Grants are intended to support the diverse sectors of Wisconsin agriculture, and outcomes generated by the grant recipients provide benefits to local communities and serve as models for others in the food industry.
- Allows local producers and processors to access grants funds to develop, promote and sell Wisconsin products
Related Resources
Wisconsin Statewide Organic Community of Practice
Wisconsin Organics
Food Systems
The Wisconsin Statewide Organic Community of Practice is a cross-sector learning network that brings together farmers, food businesses, certifiers, researchers, nonprofits, and agency partners to strengthen Wisconsin’s organic sector. Convened by Wisconsin Organics, the group meets regularly online to share timely information, compare on-the-ground experiences, and surface common challenges and opportunities facing organic production and markets in the state. Participants collaborate on practical solutions, coordinate outreach and events, and help align research, technical assistance, and policy efforts so Wisconsin’s organic farms and rural communities can thrive.
USDT New Markets Tax Credit Program
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Business, Education & Schools, Health & Mental Health
The NMTC Program attracts private capital into low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a tax credit against their federal income tax in exchange for making equity investments in specialized financial intermediaries.




