Dane County Food Council
Since 2005, the Dane County Food Council (DCFC) has been dedicated to organizing thought and action on making our food system sustainable for all. Visit Get Involved to find out how you can participate.
Mission
The Dane County Food Council is a dynamic committee that explores issues and develops recommendations to create an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable local food system for the Dane county region. The council has been highlighted by the National Association of Counties as a model for other county governments. Learn more.
The Dane County Pandemic Food System Study Report is available now!
In 2022, the Dane County Pandemic Food System Study was commissioned by Dane County and City of Madison to explore the food system gaps that the pandemic exposed and the interim solutions that were created in response to the crisis. This study was conducted by Sift Consulting LLC, in partnership with a liaison team of members from the Dane County Food Council, a team of community advisors, and data collaborators.
This work involved a rigorous primary data collection process that aimed to raise up the voices of the Dane County food system and included 20 interviews, 7 focus groups, and 1 targeted farmer survey. The findings of the primary data collection process are presented across three interrelated systems: 1) food production, 2) food infrastructure, and 3) food access.
The Dane County Pandemic Food System Final Report recommends 5 overarching priorities for the Dane County Food Council and other food organizations to embrace, along with 10 distinct actionable strategies for county-level action. These overarching priorities and county-level strategies aim to strengthen the resilience of our food system.
Dane County Pandemic Food System Final Report and Executive Summary
Study presentation: 3/22/23 Dane County Food Council meeting recording