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Farmers Union members source local food for convention

Wisconsin Farmers Union members get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, as well as the meat and vegetables during their state convention.

Cara Vellender with Wisconsin Farmers Union says many years ago, members wanted to have more local food on the menu during the convention.  She tells Brownfield 100% of their convention menu features Wisconsin-grown food, and most of it from their members and cooperatives. “We have beef, actually smoked brisket that comes from Wisconsin Meadows Grassfed Beef Cooperative. We have had milk all throughout convention that was donated by Organic Valley. We also, every morning, have been enjoying farm fresh eggs from Amanda’s Eggs and Poultry in Chippewa Falls.”

Vellender says most convention centers use their usual food service suppliers, but the chefs at the Chula Vista Resort have been very accommodating. “They let us bring in and have delivered the local foods that we are using and they incorporate them in the menu, and they have been exceptionally wonderful with the different dietary restrictions and making sure that they’re meeting everyone’s needs, so they’ve been wonderful to work with and we’re very grateful for that.”

Vellender is also active through Farmers Union with the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program, a USDA-funded program connecting local food producers with Wisconsin’s community food pantries.