At BASE, we are grateful for our ongoing partnership with Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin (CAC) and their generous donations of fresh, nutritious food each month. Through this collaboration, we've been able to incorporate a variety of healthy ingredients into our food service program while also expanding support for families in our community.
CAC connects BASE with fresh food funded primarily through the Hunger Task Force’s Connecting Farms to Families grant, complemented by generous in-kind contributions from local farmers, including apples donated by Blue Roof Orchard. Through these efforts, we’ve received fresh eggs, butternut squash, onions, tomatoes, spinach, carrots, beets and other produce.
The addition of BASE's newly equipped commercial kitchen has transformed the organization's ability to prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals to youth each day. Featuring commercial ovens, a six-burner stove, dedicated prep space, and a walk-in refrigerator and freezer, the kitchen provides the capacity needed to safely store and prepare fresh ingredients on-site. This expanded capability allows BASE to incorporate locally sourced produce and other fresh foods into daily menus, creating healthier meal options for children while reducing reliance on pre-packaged items. Our kitchen team puts these ingredients to use in everything from scrambled eggs and French toast breakfasts to hearty homemade soups, fresh fruits and vegetables, and nutritious snacks. From preparing scratch-made meals to utilizing donations from community partners, the kitchen helps ensure that youth across our programs have access to wholesome foods that fuel learning, play, growth, and overall well-being every day.
In addition to being used in our kitchen, many of the donated items are shared through BASE's Little Free Pantry. This allows families and community members to access fresh food at no cost, helping address food insecurity while ensuring that valuable resources are not wasted.
What makes this partnership so meaningful is the ripple effect it creates. A donation of fresh produce becomes a warm meal for a child, a healthy snack after school, or ingredients a family can take home and enjoy together. The impact extends far beyond the food itself. It fosters connection, care, and community support.
We know that strong communities are built through collaboration, and this partnership is a wonderful example of organizations working together to meet local needs. We are thankful to the CAC for their commitment to supporting families throughout our area.
Together, we are helping ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most while creating opportunities for youth and families to thrive.
Thank you, CAC, for being a valued community partner and for helping nourish our community one donation at a time. For more information one the CAC, visit their website at https://www.cacscw.org/
