History
In November of 2015, a coalition of organizations, including the Shawano County Planning Department, the Shawano-Menominee Counties’ Health Department, and Shawano County UW Extension, received a grant from the national Plan 4 Health program to assess the food needs of Shawano and Menominee Counties and to create the capacity to address those needs. Shawano County served as fiscal agent for this coalition. In the spring of 2016, the study group was formed under the auspices of the grant, expanding the project to include the Ho Chunk Nation, the Menominee Nation, and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community.
The Project’s Core Team, made up of representatives from its various partners, created a mission statement and a vision statement in the summer of 2016. The Project’s mission is to build the foundation for healthier, accessible, and sustainable food systems by increasing food security, educating, and engaging the community, and its vision is food systems that promote a healthy diet for all, increase food security, strengthen community, educate the public, and support practices which respect the environment, people, and their cultures.
The group conducted a F.R.E.S.H. Project survey during the summer of 2016 to assess the food needs of residents of Shawano County. Two sessions of leadership training took place in the fall of 2016, sponsored by the Project’s Core Team to increase the capacity of the group’s Core Team as well as other community leaders in the area to address the region’s food needs.
The results of the survey were publicized late in the fall of 2016. More than one-third of the respondents who participated in the survey did not have enough food in their homes or money to buy the food needed for their families. It was also determined that large sections of Shawano County are labeled as “food deserts”, which are areas with low household incomes and limited access to healthy food. In addition, many of the families do not have sufficient transportation to travel to towns that have lower cost grocery stores and/or food pantries.
Upon analysis of the data from the survey, as well as training in creating positive community change and in food system development, the Project’s Core Team developed a strategic plan aimed at carrying out its mission and vision. That strategic plan called for a focus in three areas: (1) Food Access (Increasing physical access to food and increasing fresh food availability); (2) Education (Developing a “Buy Local Campaign” and educating growers and consumers about food recovery), and (3) Community Engagement (Community Engagement Promoting the Project’s mission and vision to increase community involvement, and establishing a Food Council).
The original funding period from the Plan 4 Health grant ended in February 2017. Subsequently, the F.R.E.S.H. Project applied for, and received a three-year grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc., allowing it to continue implementing its strategic planning Shawano County. The F.R.E.S.H. Project became a non-profit group, independent of Shawano County, on July 1, 2017, when it received its funding from the Foundation. On October 5, 2018, the F.R.E.S.H. Project became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Significant Milestones:
November 2017: The F.R.E.S.H. Project received their IRS Employee Identification Number.
December 21, 2017: The F.R.E.S.H. Project applied for their IRS 501(c)3 Non-Profit Status.
January 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project served healthy soup, salad, and dessert to the guests at SAM25, local cold-weather shelter.
March – April 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project visited every Food Pantry located in Shawano County to assess the needs of the Pantry and how we can collaborate with them. We found that the biggest challenge the Pantries have is providing fresh produce to their customers.
March 27, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project held their first food demonstration class at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Cecil.
April 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project launched a Buy Local campaign for local farmers / producers to advertise for free on our website the services they offer.
April 11, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project held their first food demonstration class at the Siga Community Center, Ho-Chunk Nation.
April 22 and 24, 2019: The F.R.E.S.H. Project participated in the Earth Day Celebration and Community Dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano.
May 10, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project attended their first Food Sovereignty Meeting with the Stockbridge-Munsee Nation.
May 10, 2018: The F. R.E.S.H. Project partnered with ADRC and held its first F.R.E.S.H. Project Living Library at the Shawano Community Middle School where we taught the elderly how to “Eat Healthy on a Budget”.
May 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. garden locations were identified and seeds have been started.
June 16 – October 6, 2018: June 16 – First day of the Shawano Farmers Market. The F.R.E.S.H. Project provides $5 Double Bucks tokens to clients who participate in Food Share, WIC, and the elderly with Food Vouchers. The F.R.E.S.H. Project continues to be at the Farmers Market every Saturday to provide the Double Bucks tokens (October 6).
June 16, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project hosts the 5K Scrabble Fun Walk/Run at the Shawano Farmers Market to educate participants about our new programs and projects.
June 18, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project launched 15 Share the Bounty tables throughout Shawano County. Gardeners are encouraged to donate extra produce to the tables for all in the community to enjoy. The F.R.E.S.H. Project donates produce from the gardens to these tables, and also to the food pantries, SAM25, and Safe Haven.
July 24, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project hosted the First Presbyterian Dinner, Shawano and partnered with United Health and Cedar Wedge Farm to provide $5 produce vouchers in order for the guests to receive fresh produce.
August 21, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project hosted their first food demonstration class at the Wittenberg Food Pantry.
Summer 2018: Summer 2018 was a huge success for The F.R.E.S.H. Project gardens. We planted and harvested more than 5,000 pounds throughout our six gardens, serving our community with fresh food and education. Produce harvested supported our communities through local food pantries, shelters and our Share the Bounty tables.
Summer 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project’s Share the Bounty tables shared more than 12,000 pounds of produce during the 2018 growing season! Produce was donated by our six gardens. In addition, area gardeners donated extra home-grown fruits and vegetables to share within the community. Gardeners brought their produce to drop-off sites in Shawano County where it was then distributed to those who can use it.
Summer 2018: Keeping in line with the Good Food for Everyone, The F.R.E.S.H. Project distributed $5 tokens to anyone who received Food Share, WIC, and elderly with Food Vouchers at the Shawano Farmers Market. More than $800 in tokens was distributed allowing those in need an opportunity to “purchase” fresh vegetables from local vendors. The vendors then returned the tokens to us and we reimbursed them for the price of the produce.
October 5, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project has been granted the 501(c)3 non-profit organization designation and the Project EIN was entered into the IRS System on March 12, 2019.
November 2018 – April 2019: The F.R.E.S.H. Project hosted monthly dinners for the guests at SAM25 the local cold-weather shelter.
November 28, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project Executive Director, Johnson Family Cattle Lindsay Johnson, and Pies by Patti – Patti White were invited to appear on Local 5 Live, Channel 5, Green Bay to talk about the Winter Market.
December 2018 – March 2019: As part of our Buy Local and working with our local producers campaign, the F.R.E.S.H. Project hosted the first-ever Winter Market the 1st Saturday of each month at the First Presbyterian Church, Shawano. There were up to 12 vendors and live music at each Market.
December 4, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project packed weekend meals for the Shawano Schools at the Zion Lutheran Church.
December 7, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project was invited to judge the City of Shawano Holiday Parade.
December 8 and December 19, 2018: The F.R.E.S.H. Project Executive Board held its Mobile Market Strategic Planning sessions. Pilot Program will run for 14 weeks in Summer 2019.
January 2, 2019: The F.R.E.S.H. Project moved its office location to 100 Presbyterian Street, Shawano. The new office space provides accommodations to a licensed kitchen, gymnasium, conference room, and public access.
February 5, 2019: Held our second Food Producers Meeting. Discussions were held around the future of the F.R.E.S.H. Project;s Mobile Market/CSA and Local Co-Op.
March 23, 2019: Held a free-seed distribution at the Village Hall in Gresham.
April 2, 2019: Taught How to Eat on a Budget class at the ADRC’s Aging Master Program, Shawano.
April 5, 2019: Taught How to Eat on a Budget class at the Senior Citizens Center, Shawano.
April 13, 2019: Held a free-seed distribution at the Shawano County Library, Shawano.
April 23, 2019: Held a free-seed distribution and handed out CSA applications at the First Presbyterian Church’s Community Dinner.
April 28, 2019: Held a free-seed distribution, handed out CSA applications and provided homemade chicken tacos, black bean salsa, and homemade tortilla chips for the Earth Day celebration at the First Presbyterian Church, Shawano.
April 30, 2019: Built and delivered a grow box to the F.R.E.S.H. Project’s educational garden at the Church on the Hill, Shawano.
May 3, 2019: F.R.E.S.H. Project discussion with the elderly at the Community Center, Wittenberg. Handed out CSA Applications.
May 8, 2019: Held a free-seed distribution at the Pac Haci Youth and Learning Center; built and delivered two grow boxes the the FRESH Project’s education garden.
May 9, 2019: Executive Director graduated from the Leadership Shawano 9 month course.
May 30, 2019: Attended Sun Drop Dayz and provided free seeds to more than 130 people allowing them to begin planting their produce gardens.
May 30, 2019: FY2 ends. In FY2 – The FRESH Project participated in 112 events reaching 163,160 people; we had 45 volunteers with a total of 788 volunteer hours.
June 1, 2019: Fiscal Year 3 begins.
Summer 2019: The FRESH Project at the Shawano Farmers Market for the season. $5 tokens to be distributed to anyone on SNAP, WIC, and Seniors with food vouchers to allow them to purchase directly from our farmers for locally grown produce and meat.
Summer 2019: The FRESH began their Mobile Market and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) summer food boxes. Program ran through the end of September, delivering affordable produce/meat to Shawano County food deserts. As part of our Buy Local campaign, we are worked with 8 local farmers to purchase locally grown produce and meat. FRESH Project sold more than 3,000 pounds of food bought from the local farmers, distributed a total of 497 CSA boxes to 71 customers (88 percent were low income seniors and families).
Summer 2019: The FRESH Project held a variety of cooking classes with children and seniors to teach them how to cook easy and healthy recipes. Working in the FRESH gardens, students of all ages were able to help plant, maintain, and harvest produce. Utilizing the produce, they were taught to prepare healthy meals and snacks.
Fall 2019: The FRESH Project’s 8 gardens harvested 5,365 pounds of produce and donated to the local food pantries, Share the Bounty tables and to the local shelters.
Fall 2019: The FRESH Project’s Share the Bounty tables collected 13,390 pounds of produce to share with residents throughout Shawano County. Produce and fruits were donated by local gardeners and from the FRESH Project’s 8 gardens.
Winter 2019: The FRESH Project kicked off their 2nd season of the Winter Market at the First Presbyterian Church on the 1st Saturdays of the month beginning in November and running through March. Shoppers have the opportunity to meet their local farmers and to purchase one of a kind gifts from local artists/crafters. Cooking demonstration classes were held by the vendors to provide shoppers easy and yummy recipes, and healthy nutrition tips.
February 10, 2020: The F.R.E.S.H. Project gained ownership of the Shawano Farmers Market and will be added as one of F.R.E.S.H. Project’s programs. The F.R.E.S.H. Project – Shawano Farmers Market nurtures our community’s health, and social and economic growth by providing a vibrant marketplace for the local farmers. The market also gives local vendors and farmers a place to come together and celebrate good, hard, honest work – the work done by the hands of our neighbors. Learn more about the Shawano Farmers Market.
March – December 2020: COVID-19 Pandemic has affected the way The FRESH Project programs ran. We discontinued the in-person, hands on cooking classes and discontinued the Winter Market. As the spring ran into summer, the need for healthier foods became more apparent as people were laid off of their work and schools were closed. We partnered with the Shawano Area Food Distribution Center and every Friday afternoon until the end of June we distributed food bags to the residents in Gresham – only area without a food pantry. Feeding an average of 80 families a week, we assisted volunteers in Gresham in setting up a new food pantry. Flo’ing With Kindness became an established 501(c)3 non-profit organization in August.
We assisted Feeding America with distributing 1000 farm to family food boxes every Friday morning from June until the end of October at the Shawano Fairgrounds. Cars lined up for blocks waiting in line for hours to receive their much-needed food.
We received many requests for garden seeds. We tripled our free seeds and provided growing tips to anyone wanting to grow their own garden.
As the pandemic continued throughout the summer, we were able to reallocate educational grant funds to support our CSA/Mobile Market programs. More families, seniors, and intellectual adults received free CSA boxes and we had a tremendous increase with our Double Bucks program at the Shawano Farmers Market.
The Shawano Farmers Market was a new experience for us. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we were designated as a food essential program, allowing us to continue the market with the necessary safety guidelines. While crafters were prohibited to joining us this summer, we offered free advertising for them on our social media platforms.
Many of our fundraising activities have been canceled. We are finding new, created ways to raise the funds we require to run our programs. We offered dairy/meat CSA boxes once a month for three months. This program was a success fundraiser, while supporting our local farmers.
January 2021: The F.R.E.S.H. Project received a grant from the Lumberjack Conservation to bring our projects to Menominee County.
April 2021: The F.R.E.S.H. Project began their education garden programs to Keshena Primary School – 3rd grade and to the Boys & Girls Club Menominee- Woodland.
June 2021: The F.R.E.S.H. Project sponsored 10 garden beds to the elderly in Menominee County. We also brought our Mobile Market and CSA program to Menominee County every other Friday through mid-September.
June 19 – Oct. 1, 2021: The F.R.E.S.H. Project held their Shawano Farmers Market every Saturday at Franklin Park, Shawano.
November 2021 – March 2022: The F.R.E.S.H. Project hold their Winter Market/Craft Shows once a month at the First Presbyterian Church, Shawano.
