Partner of the Month: Outpost Natural Foods | January 2025
Hunger Task Force isn’t just Milwaukee Free & Local food bank – we’re a community. We believe in the power of collaboration, and that’s why we’re thrilled to recognize our amazing supporters through “Partner of the Month,” a platform to celebrate the incredible local organizations, businesses and companies who join us in the fight against hunger. They donate food, volunteer their time, raise awareness and provide financial support – strengthening our work in preventing hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger-free community tomorrow.
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Outpost Natural Foods
Outpost Natural Foods (Outpost) is a longstanding partner of Hunger Task Force and shares in our mission of ending hunger for Milwaukee families. As a community-owned cooperative with over 21,000 members, Outpost is deeply committed to the belief that “access to healthy food is a basic right.”
Outpost recognizes affordability as a significant barrier to healthy eating and actively works to eliminate this challenge. The co-op proudly accepts FoodShare, which provides low-income shoppers increased access to nutritious and fresh food. In a pioneering partnership with Hunger Task Force, Outpost launched the “Produce to the People” program. This formerly active program offered a 50% discount on fresh produce to shoppers using FoodShare to increase access to healthy foods and reduce reliance on emergency food sources.
Beyond affordability, Outpost engages its customers in meaningful hunger relief efforts through programs like “Round-Up at the Register” and “Buy-A-Bag.” These initiatives encourage shoppers to round up their grocery bills or purchase pre-filled donation bags to directly support Hunger Task Force’s mission.
“It’s a collaborative effort here at Outpost,” shares Margaret Middlestadt, Director of Community Relations at Outpost.
To date, Round-Up at the Register has raised over $75,000, and, surpassing expectations, the 2024 Buy-A-Bag campaign raised $115,065 for Hunger Task Force. Since 1999, Outpost owners and shoppers have provided over $2.4M worth of food through the Buy-A-Bag program to help end hunger in our community!
Additionally, the co-op annually donates thousands of pounds of fresh produce for Hunger Task Force’s holiday meals to provide families with festive, nutritious food for their winter celebrations. Through this generosity, Outpost helps make the holidays brighter and healthier for those in need.
By combining innovative programs, a robust partnership with Hunger Task Force and a focus on local sourcing, Outpost leads the charge in building a healthier community. Their message is clear: a healthy community is one where everyone can nourish themselves and their families with wholesome food.
Meet our Partners of the Month!
Click below to discover real people, schools, organizations and businesses making a difference in the fight against hunger – new partners added each month! Keep checking back to meet more incredible partners making a difference.