City Cast Madison logo
February 12, 2026

Dane County's Food System is ‘Broken’

City Cast Madison

Dane County's Food System is ‘Broken’

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

In Dane County, we have a thriving farmers market scene. We have local co-ops and community gardens. We boast about our farm-to-table restaurants. And we also have food insecurity rates as high as 15%. Parts of our food system appear to be running well, but when you dig below the surface, there are issues preventing it from being equitable and resilient. REAP Food Group, in collaboration with a number of local stakeholders, is trying to get to the root of the problems with the Dane County Food Action Plan. City Cast Madison executive producer Hayley Sperling chats with REAP Food Group interim executive director Noah Bloedorn about what is currently threatening the food system, and how it can be fixed.

🥕 Join us every Thursday as we explore Madison's food culture, from the brewers and bakers to the chefs and cheesemakers.

👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram

📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter. 

🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this February 12th episode:

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
June 17

Police Monitor Blames MPD for Man’s Death, Plus Ridglan Farms To Close

Richard Lee Johnson died on Dec. 31, 2024, after being arrested the previous night. A new ⁠report ⁠by the Office of the Independent Polic...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 16

Regent Street Redesign, Tourism Boom, and Juneteenth Events in Madison

After months of public input, Regent Street is getting a major redesign which will include wider sidewalks, fewer driving lanes, added pa...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 15

Why Madison Needs The Center for Black Excellence and Culture

The new Center for Black Excellence and Culture has officially opened! City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin sits down with founder Rev. D...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 14

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Madison

Do you know how many parks Madison has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cas...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 12

City Anticipates Budget Cuts, Madison’s Election Trust Crisis, and Free Meals for Local Kids

This week, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway told city agencies to be prepared to cut 2% from their budgets amid inflation and higher fue...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 11

Spicy Takes From Madison’s Chef of the Year. Plus, WTF Is Cookie Salad?!?

Chef Patrick O’Halloran has been cooking for Madison for decades, and his latest business, The Deliciouser, blends spices, classes, and g...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 10

Hot Takes on Madison’s Queer Scene

It’s Pride Month! Gov. Tony Evers was the first Wisconsin governor to raise the pride flag over the State Capitol, and he did so again fo...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 9

Honoring Michael Johnson, Public Art Woes, and Pop-Ups at Madison Public Market

We start today’s show remembering and mourning community leader Michael Johnson. Host Bianca Martin reflects with executive producer Hayl...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 8

Police Monitor Answers Her Critics

Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board and Office of the Independent Police Monitor are once again under scrutiny as the city consider...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
June 7

'Your City Could Be Better': How Las Vegas Saves More Water Than Any Other City — Presented By City Cast Madison

Madison recycles some of its water, but not as much as Las Vegas, where the water there stays in the city. How else could a desert city p...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art