Food Wise Position Cut

RIPON, Wis. (WRPN) – Fond du Lac County supervisors Tuesday night heard about a position eliminated because of cuts in federal funding. It happened during the public hearing for the County’s 2026 Budget.

County Executive Sam Kaufman says a Food Wise position with the UW Extension Service was federally funded. The position played a key role in helping food pantries with their food supplies and in applying for grants. Kaufman says it’s not a position the county can fund because the UW Extension is state-run.

After the board’s meeting, the Finance Committee met and decided it would be best to talk with Fond du Lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller about having the health department take on some of the roles of that now defunct position. A meeting is being set up with Mueller.

He says the Health Department actually deals with nutritional topics as part of their public health role. As for the County’s 2026 Budget, that will be approved at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4.