Flood Relief for Members of our Food Community in Southwestern and Southern Wisconsin

Producers and residents in southwestern and the southern 1/3 of Wisconsin experienced severe damages from a series of regional storms affecting the Midwest. The storms began on August 18^th and dropped over 19 inches of rain. The extent of the damage throughout the state is still unknown as some fields remain underwater as of September 3^rd.

Local restaurants and organizations were quick to respond by sponsoring flood relief events including dinners and special fundraising projects. Slow Food Madison is encouraging our members and the general public to support these initiatives and to work with the organizations that are capable of directing assistance to our producers.

For example, many Family Farm Defender (FFD) members who live and farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin have donated surplus produce and been assisting their neighbors by preparing food, cleaning up debris, and helping where they can.

The Family Farm Defenders is accepting tax deductible donations to supporting Midwest recovery effort. Checks can be sent to Family Farm Defenders, P.O. Box 1772 Madison, WI 53701. Please indicate "flood recovery" in the memo line.

Just Coffee, Madison's 100% fair trade coffee roaster, is also planning to unveil a special flood recovery coffee very soon which will be available for fundraising efforts. Contact Just Coffee for more details at 608-204-9011.

Several Midwest natural foods co-ops are also accepting flood relief donations through the Sow the Seeds, a fund to support sustainable food systems. YOU CAN HELP BY LETTING THE CASHIERS KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'D LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE AND THEY'LL ADD YOUR DONATION TO YOUR GROCERY TOTAL. Contributions will be given directly to the Kickapoo Exchange in Gays Mills and the Sow the Seeds Fund, working in conjunction with regional co-ops to support farms devastated by the flooding. The Wisconsin Co-ops include: the Menominee Market, the Viroqua Food Co-op, the Stevens Point Co-op, the Willy Street Co-op and the Outpost Natural Foods.

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is also accepting donations through its Sow the Seeds Fund.

You can make a donation online at: http://www.sowtheseedsfund.org/
or by mailing a check to:
Sow the Seeds Fund c/o IATP, 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404 USA

Our food community members may need continuing support into the new year and for next year's growing season. We will be posting additional opportunities for assistance on our Slow Food Madison web site.