NourishMKE and Hunger Task Force Partner to Improve Healthy Food Access at Three Food Centers in Milwaukee

For more than 30 years, Hunger Task Force and NourishMKE (formerly Friedens Community Ministries) have been working together to improve access to healthy food for low-income children, families and seniors throughout Milwaukee.

More than 85% of the shelf staples NourishMKE provides to clients are delivered by Hunger Task Force absolutely free of charge. What’s more, NourishMKE receives an abundance of fresh produce – nearly 2,000 lbs. of fruits and vegetables – from the Hunger Task Force Farm every growing season to distribute to clients at all food centers.

“We pride ourselves on providing a dignified shopping experience. Thanks to Hunger Task Force we can offer clients several canned fruits and vegetables and grains to choose from to give them the autonomy to select the right staples that fit their diets,” said Cheryl Ousley, Site Manager at NouirshMKE. “Also, the reception for fresh produce is awesome. Our clients are so appreciative to be able to enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for free since they have become so pricey at grocery stores.”

Over the last year, Hunger Task Force supplied nearly 250,000 total pounds of nutritious food to the organization’s four food centers to help feed those in need. Each month NourishMKE selects the items the organization wants to receive from Hunger Task Force using a menu that includes several categories of healthy foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, meats, grains and bonus items.

“Having a menu to choose from ensures we can provide variety in a way we never could without the support of Hunger Task Force,” Cheryl adds. “The Hunger Task Force menu also helps us insure we’re selecting foods to satisfy the diets and cultural preferences of our clients.”

The NourishMKE Food Centers are open during the following times:

• • Fond Du Lac Avenue: Tuesday from 5 – 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Orchard Street: Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 4 – 6 p.m.
  • Vliet Street: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Mitchell Street: Saturday from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

When clients walk through the door at any food center they are greeted upon entry. NourishMKE volunteers will shop with clients and indicate how many items they can select from each food category. During their visit, clients will receive a week’s worth of free food to supplement their monthly food supply.

NourishMKE has been serving the community for 46 years and works to remove barriers to food so more people can be properly nourished. The food centers solely offer choice-based shopping and all food available to clients is thoughtfully sourced to offer options for a variety of diets and reduce food waste.

Hunger Task Force is the only food bank in Milwaukee that does not charge for food, delivery or network membership and works diligently to ensure seniors and families can receive emergency food with dignity, on the day they need it and in the neighborhood they live in.

Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s Free & Local food bank and Wisconsin’s anti-hunger leader. The organization’s core values are Dignity, Justice, Equity, Compassion and Stewardship. Hunger Task Force feeds people today by providing healthy and culturally appropriate food to hungry children, families and seniors in the community absolutely free of charge. Hunger Task Force also works to end future hunger by advocating for strong public policies and nutrition programs at the local, state and federal level.