UW Extension - FoodWIse
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, we teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. We offer timely access to University research and knowledge through educational colleagues in 72 county offices, on five 4-year campuses and within three tribal nations.
We work with and are funded by local, state and federal partners to offer educational programs that address the important issues of individuals, families, businesses and communities. Our vision is to be a thriving, well-known and sought-out educational resource that reflects the rich diversity of the state.
FoodWIse is a program within the Division of Extension’s Institute of Health and Well-Being. FoodWIse is a community-based nutrition education program that seeks to empower Wisconsin residents with limited incomes to make healthy choices to achieve healthy lives and reduce health disparities. We employ a combination of evidence-based educational strategies, accompanied by environmental supports, designed to facilitate voluntary adoption of healthy food choices and active lifestyles.
Our mission is to advance healthy eating habits, active lifestyles and healthy community environments for low-income families through nutrition education at the individual, community and systems levels. FoodWIse is federally funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Project opportunities
FoodWIse has several new and ongoing project opportunities related to direct education and policy, systems, and environmental change efforts. FoodWIse initiatives include but are not limited to: school-based nutrition and physical activity programs, early care and education (ECE) programs, farm to school and ECE, EBT at farmers’ markets, community donation gardens, healthy food retail, safe and healthy food pantries, and programming specific to diverse and emerging audiences, including Tribal, Hmong, and Somali. Based on student interest, projects could focus on program development, implementation, and/or evaluation. The student will work with the FoodWIse state team, county colleagues, and other external partners to inform project scope and goals.