Fondy Food Center Announces Executive Director

Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Today, the Board of Directors of the Fondy Food Center announced that Venice R. Williams, widely known for her visionary leadership of Alice’s Garden Urban Farm on the Northside of Milwaukee, is now also the official Executive Director of the Fondy Food Center, as of November 2023, when she graciously accepted the board’s request to remove “interim” from her title. “Accepting this position continues to expand and further root my commitment to the people and organizations in the City of Milwaukee.” says Venice Williams, “Cultivating community through healthy food access and lifting up cultural foodways are centerpieces of my service to this city.”

“This is an incredible step forward for Fondy and the Lindsay Heights neighborhood as Venice is incredibly connected with the needs and goals of the community. We are grateful for her passion and vision for the community through Fondy’s programs.” says Heather Deaton, President of the Fondy Board of Directors, “It’s been an honor to work closely with Venice the last 18 months – her commitment to the mission of Fondy, the community, and cultural connections is tremendous and humbling.”

The Fondy Farmers Market, run by the Fondy Food Center, celebrated its centennial year in 2017. Its historic presence on Milwaukee’s Northside has been a focal point of fresh food access for multiple generations of Wisconsin residents. Fondy Food Center also operates the Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market, now open on Saturdays at The Table (5305 W. Capitol Drive) from 9:00 to 2:00 through April 13, 2024. In 2010, Fondy started the Fondy Farm Project, which assists low-resourced predominantly BIPOC farmers in gaining access to the land, resources, and support they need to operate a successful business. The farm is currently located on the Mequon Nature Preserve. In addition, Fondy is the lead organization for the Milwaukee Market Match, providing matching EBT funds, up to $20/day, at multiple Milwaukee County farmers markets throughout the Wisconsin growing season.

Since coming on-board in 2022 as Interim Executive Director, Venice has advanced the mission of Fondy and the connection to the community through her vision and talent in bridging across diverse groups in the city. Dedicated to forward thinking, Venice is an instrumental leader of the nonprofit ecosystem in the City of Milwaukee.

Food Center is blessed and energized to call Venice Williams our leader, shepherd, visionary, supporter and our Executive Director. Venice has faithfully worked in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood for many years, beginning with Cross Lutheran Church.” says Martha Davis Kipcak, Vice President of the Fondy Board of Directors, “Venice’s leadership is significant to the farmers, vendors, makers, customers, neighbors, and friends of Fondy Food Center.”

This is an incredible opportunity for Fondy to further explore the mission, broaden the utilization of the Fondy Farmers Market space and Fondy Park and strengthen food systems, economic development, and food equity in Milwaukee.

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.