The grant is only part of the project budget
Wisconsin opened 2027 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant applications October 1, 2026, with completed applications due November 4 at 11:59 p.m. The state program page lists a maximum award of $50,000 per project. That maximum is not a guaranteed grant for every food business.
Applicants must provide cash or in-kind matching support worth at least 50% of the total project budget. This is a share of the project budget, not necessarily 50% of the grant amount. Compare the proposed work, eligible costs and match documentation before choosing a requested amount.
The local-food project must fit the program
Qualified applicants generally include participants in Wisconsin production agriculture, processing, distribution, warehousing, retail food establishments and agricultural tourism. The page describes individual, collaborative and partnership proposals. A business in another state should not treat the local-food label as national eligibility.
An informational workshop is scheduled October 13 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Food Enterprise Center in Viroqua. The page labels the cycle 2027 but describes up to $200,000 total funding in 2026; follow the current request for proposals for the exact award administration. Submission is not selection or payment.