Supporting Wisconsin's Local Economy

‘Tis the season to support Wisconsin’s economy by purchasing products and gifts made in Wisconsin! The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) coordinates several programs to help support local business throughout the year.

The Wisconsin Foods Program is described on the DATCP website as an economic development program designed to promote local and regional sales of Wisconsin products, keeping food dollars in the state. The Wisconsin Foods Program provides a variety of resources for producers as well as grant funding through the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grant Program for industry innovation.

The DATCP also coordinates the Something Special from Wisconsin marketing program. Wisconsin producers can apply to be a member of the Something Special from Wisconsin program and benefit from having the logo on their products. According to the Something Special from Wisconsin webpage, the logo is a quick and reliable way to identify genuine Wisconsin products and services at grocery stores, retail outlets, farmers' markets and restaurants throughout the state.

Learn more about the impact these programs have on Wisconsin’s local economy and how to buy local by visiting the Wisconsin Digital Archives . Here are just a few publications available in the Wisconsin Digital Archives:

• Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Program Annual Impact Report
• Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide : a Producer’s Guide to Marketing Locally Grown Food
• Something Special from Wisconsin Directory
• Growing Wisconsin Magazine

Blog post written by: Abby Swanton, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning