MADISON, Wisconsin – Alliant Energy Center is lending its support and facility to local food source organizations.
During this unprecedented time, Alliant Energy Center has partnered with the Dane County Farmers’ Market and Second
Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and provided them with a spacious alternative to provide food to the Dane
County community.
"Dane County is committed to supporting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dane County Executive
Joe Parisi. “We are happy to provide the Alliant Energy Center as a place for organizations like the Dane County Farmers’
Market and Second Harvest Foodbank to continue their operations. By partnering together, we have been able to help
those facing food insecurity and support local farmers and small food businesses during this challenging time.”
The Dane County Farmers’ Market recently started their Local Food Pick Ups on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Willow
Island. After their first three Local Food Pick Ups, more than $58,000 in sales went directly to family farmers and small
food businesses. Each Pick Up features about 18 vendors and welcomes around 360 customers with each customer
supporting an average of four farmers. Currently, there are 28 farmers participating over the two days each week. The
Dane County Farmers’ Market will be increasing both the number of vendors at each Pick Up and the total number of
farmers participating as they continue to ramp up the model and the growing season progresses.
"The Dane County Farmers' Market is dedicated to providing opportunities for the community to connect directly with
family farmers from Wisconsin," says Market Manager Sarah Elliott. "Even though we are having to reinvent our model
of business, we believe that this mission is even more critical now. We are so grateful that the Alliant Energy Center is
able to provide us with a temporary home during the COVID-19 pandemic which enables us to continue to connect
farmers and customers in a manner that is safe and efficient."
In addition, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin has been utilizing the Exhibition Hall as a sorting and
packaging location. During their time on the campus, Second Harvest Foodbank has been able to package more than 1
million pounds of food into 10, 15, and 25 pound boxes for the community. This was completed by more than 1,200
volunteers working a total of 95 shifts.
Centerplate, Alliant Energy Center’s on-site caterer, has also joined the support by donating a variety of food and other
miscellaneous items to local food banks and organizations within Dane County, including Second Harvest Foodbank of
Southern Wisconsin, Living Hope Food Pantry, and Badger Prairie Need Network. Centerplate also donated over 500
pounds of cheese by the request of Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin that was originally going to be used for
their event and supplied by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
Alliant Energy Center is proud to support these organizations and our local farms as they prepare for the future. While
closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation with the expertise of local, state, and federal health officials, the center is
taking precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of employees, clients, guests, and the Dane County
community. As the community moves forward, Alliant Energy Center will continue to observe and implement revised
public health guidelines for convening. Everyone at Alliant Energy Center remains invested in meeting the community
and customers’ needs and supports this effort. Please be safe and look out for each other.
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