Council Adopts Comprehensive Package to Address Food Insecurity Citywide
Joint statement from Members of the Common Council: Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Today, we adopted a legislative package aimed at eliminating food disparities across Milwaukee. Grocery stores have been leaving Milwaukee at an alarming rate, and food insecurity has worsened in these areas. It was imperative that we take action. Access to fresh, healthy foods is linked to better overall health outcomes, and residents deserve these options where they live.
Today, we adopted the following pieces of legislation to address this issue:
– Resolution directing the Department of City Development to work with the Milwaukee Health Department and any other relevant agencies to create strategies for the retention and attraction of full-service grocery stores and pharmacies. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Coggs.
– Resolution relating to the allocation of funds from the Large Impact Development Fund to the Department of City Development’s Commercial Revitalization Grants Program for a pilot grocery and pharmacy access program. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
– Resolution relating to the expenditure of funds from the Grocery Store Retention Fund for the purpose of healthy food access. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
– An ordinance relating to notice of closure for food establishments. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Pratt.
– Resolution declaring food apartheid a public health emergency and directing coordinated city action. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
At its core, access to fresh food is not a luxury but a basic need. We still have more work to do on this front, but we want our residents to know we will continue to push forward to make healthy food accessible to everyone. We all deserve nothing less.
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 Milwaukee Common Council
Council Adopts Comprehensive Package to Address Food Insecurity Citywide
Apr 21st, 2026 by Milwaukee Common CouncilJoint statement from Members of the Common Council: Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Statement on Passage of ICE Out Legislation by the Common Council
Mar 5th, 2026 by Milwaukee Common CouncilFrom Common Council Members: Alderman Alex Brower, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Robert Bauman, Alderperson JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic March 5, 2026
Healthy food, safe housing, education, and effective health care are all basic needs. All of these basic needs are currently controlled by monopolies. None of the merges touted by the likes of Ron Johnson and Tom Tiffany resulted in better service and deliverables of working Americans. RRRs (radical reactionary republicans) in their race to make Wisconsin “Open for Business,” have forgotten the concept of a “free market” in which everyone should be able to thrive.
While addressing these Healthy Foods ordinances is admirable, they fail to get at the core problem, the control of the flow of resources (fresh, healthy food that is NOT overprocessed) and market by a few corporations that control prices and accessibility. This core problem can only truly be addressed by the federal government. As citizens we must pressure our representatives. We need Congress and the White House must flip their priorities. They focus on the needs of the people instead the drive for profits at any cost.
BTW, food deserts are not just a problem of urban areas. Some of the most devastating deserts are in rural Wisconsin and throughout the country.