Board Adopts Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell Resolution Establishing Joint City-County Food Access Taskforce
Following groundbreaking legislation declaring Food Apartheid a Public Health Emergency in Milwaukee County
MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors today unanimously adopted legislation authored by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell establishing a Milwaukee City-County Joint Taskforce to Address the Food Access Crisis.
The resolution comes as families across Milwaukee County continue facing growing barriers to accessing affordable, nutritious food following the closure of multiple full-service grocery stores in predominantly Black
The joint City-County task force would bring together local government, community organizations, youth leaders, labor, researchers, small business owners, and food justice advocates to develop actionable recommendations to improve food access across jurisdictions.
Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell thanked her colleagues for recognizing the seriousness of the issue and supporting a collaborative, long-term approach to addressing food insecurity and food access disparities.
“Food access is a growing crisis affecting families across Milwaukee County,” said Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell. “I appreciate my colleagues for standing with me on this issue and for supporting a coordinated response to meet this moment. There are already community organizations, residents, growers, and advocates doing important work every day to address these challenges. This task force is about bringing partners together, aligning resources, improving coordination across governments, and helping ensure we are building sustainable, community-driven solutions that can better support residents for the long term.”
The legislation also encourages Milwaukee County departments to prioritize support for community-led and locally owned grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods through the County’s Building Bridges grant program.
Today’s action builds on landmark legislation authored by Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell with Metcalfe Community Bridges and adopted in November 2025, which declared food apartheid a public health emergency after multiple full-service grocery store closures in the Metcalfe Park Neighborhood.
“Access to healthy, affordable food should not depend on a person’s zip code,” Nicholson-Bovell said. “This work is about building healthier neighborhoods, supporting community-based solutions, and making sure families have reliable access to the resources they need to thrive.”
The City of Milwaukee is expected to introduce a companion resolution in the coming weeks, reflecting recognition of the urgency of this crisis across local government.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell
Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell Resolution to Create Joint City-County Food Access Taskforce Recommended for Adoption
May 22nd, 2026 by County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-BovellFollowing groundbreaking legislation declaring Food Apartheid a Public Health Emergency in Milwaukee County
Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell Announces Milwaukee County Board Committee Assignments
Apr 29th, 2026 by County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-BovellCentering diverse membership and lived experience to amplify voices across Milwaukee County
