Welcome to 2024! Crossing the threshold to a new year brings an opportunity to calibrate goals for the next 12 months. It has been nearly two years since the pandemic loosened its grip on our community, and 2024 will be the year to truly open up again and start moving some initiatives forward.

If you drive past FEED Kitchens and glance at our parking lot, it doesn’t take much of a leap to realize that FEED is operating close to capacity for some types of production, and at capacity for others (catering and food carts). This reality means that it is time to start thinking about the next iteration of FEED or some level of expanded local food production capacity in our region.

While we are thinking of these next level services, we also work with the reality that FEED, itself, is 10 years old and is in need of upgrades and repair. Almost every piece of equipment in the building is minimally 10 years old, and much of that was used when we installed it. Without proper equipment, production doesn’t happen.

This year will also finally see construction of the Madison Public Market, and FEED Kitchens has committed ourselves to partnering with the Market and creating retail/pop-up space for goods that are produced at FEED Kitchens.

Our food recovery program, Healthy Food for All, is poised for big changes in 2024 as well. As we begin the year, HFFA will assume responsibility and stewardship of Community Action Coalition’s (CAC) Gleaner’s program, as CAC is moving on from its major food programming to tend to other community needs. HFFA was not going to let our food recovery system falter and has decided to pick up and operate the program.

These and other goals are on our list for 2024. If you believe in a well-planned, functional local food system, 2024 should be your year to jump on board with NPC’s food programs!