Fueling Milwaukee’s Families – Making Nutrition Accessible 

A Healthier Year Starts Here 

As we kick off the new year, many of us resolve to live healthier lives. Nutrition plays a critical role in overall health, yet it’s often overlooked, particularly for families balancing tight budgets, busy schedules, or limited access to fresh food.

Food insecurity has a profound effect on residents living in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, shaping health outcomes and deepening disparities. In areas of high food insecurity, the prevalence of diabetes is twice as high, and rates of obesity are nearly 20% higher compared to areas of low food insecurity. These inequities underscore the critical importance of addressing nutrition to achieve health equity and improve community well-being. 

MHD works to support families through programs like WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). By providing resources, education, and personal support, our team helps families take steps toward healthier, more balanced lives. In this post, we will explore some practical tips, common myths, and resources to help you prioritize nutrition in 2025.

Empowering Families Through WIC 

WIC is a federally funded nutrition program that supports low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, as well as infants and children under 5 years old. MHD administers the WIC program locally to support families in Milwaukee through comprehensive nutrition and health services.

The MHD WIC initiative is specifically designed to address barriers that Milwaukee families face, such as food insecurity, transportation issues, and limited access to healthy food options. This work is essential in addressing the systemic challenges highlighted by recent data, which shows a correlation between rates of people living with obesity and diabetes and low-income areas.  

Programs like WIC directly target these systemic inequities, addressing the broader social and economic barriers that affect families’ ability to access nutritious food. By providing education, resources, and support, WIC helps families make healthier choices and lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in community health. The MHD WIC initiative serves as a key part of MHD’s mission to promote health equity and ensure all children have the foundation they need for lifelong success.
 

Addressing Barriers and Debunking Myths
 

Sierra Lardie, Community Health Nutritionist

For many families, barriers like transportation limits access to fresh food. 

“Transportation and storage space are major challenges,” explains Sierra Lardie. “Some families don’t have access to large refrigerators or cooking appliances, which limits their options.” Resources like MyPlate.gov and the WIC Cookbook provide simple, practical recipes that work for all kinds of households. 

Food insecurity directly influences health outcomes in Milwaukee, particularly in neighborhoods with the highest levels of need. Recent data shows that over half of Milwaukee’s residents living in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity are also living with obesity, while more than 18% are managing diabetes. 
 

Notice that on these two Milwaukee data maps, when comparing areas of food insecurity with rates of diabetes and obesity, the areas of highest concern are nearly identical.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture¹ reports that people living in food-insecure households often eat fewer nutrient-rich foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and consume more processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt, contributing to chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. These gaps in nutrition are closely tied to systemic barriers like income inequality and lack of access to grocery stores offering healthy options.  

Another common misconception is that eating healthy is expensive or doesn’t taste good. However, research shows that healthy foods like fruits and vegetables not only improve physical health but also boost mental well-being and happiness². In fact, studies suggest that vegetables contribute significantly to overall eating happiness, highlighting that healthy choices are also happy choices. This challenges the perception that indulgent foods are the sole source of comfort. 

“Tacos and stews are simple, tasty options for families,” Lardie suggests. “Learning to use spices and being open to trying new things can help.” 

Eating healthy also doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods. “Everything in moderation is key,” Lardie adds. “Even chips provide some nutrition. It’s all about balance.” 

¹ U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Nutrition and Public Health. https://www.fns.usda.gov/partnerships/nutrition-public-health 
² Wahl DR, Villinger K, König LM, Ziesemer K, Schupp HT, Renner B. Healthy food choices are happy food choices: Evidence from a real life sample using smartphone based assessments.Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 6;7(1):17069. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17262-9. PMID: 29213109; PMCID: PMC5719018.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5719018/ 
 

Practical Tips for Healthy Eating
 

Megan Zanon MS, RDN, CD, CLS, Health Project Supervisor
Sarah DeSmidt RD, CD, CLC, Program Manager
 

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. MHD’s WIC nutritionists and dietitians provide advice that is practical and achievable for families navigating busy schedules and tight budgets. 

“Making a grocery list and shopping sales for proteins or vegetables can help stretch your budget,” says MHD WIC Health Project Supervisor Megan Zanon. “Meal prepping over the weekend ensures food is ready during busy weekdays.” 

For families living in food deserts, resources like Hunger Task Force, Feeding America, or 211 can provide access to food pantries and summer meal programs for kids. “It’s also helpful to use all your WIC benefits before they expire, to stretch your budget further,” adds MHD WIC Program Manager Sarah DeSmidt. 

Another common misconception is that fresh, organic produce is necessary for a healthy diet. “People often think fresh produce is best, but canned and frozen options are just as nutritious,” says Zanon. “These options are affordable, convenient, and perfect for quick meals,” DeSmidt agrees. 

“Healthy eating doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” explains Lardie. “Small changes, like switching from white to whole grain bread, can create long-term momentum for healthier choices.” 
 

Spotlight on WIC’s Impact 

Programs like WIC address disparities head-on by ensuring that low-income families receive the nutritional support they need during critical developmental years, combating the disproportionate prevalence of diet-related diseases in Milwaukee.  

In Milwaukee, nearly a quarter of residents experienced food insecurity in the past year, with rates ranging as high as 63% in certain neighborhoods. This food insecurity is closely linked to higher rates of diabetes and obesity, making WIC’s support in providing access to nutritious foods and education even more vital for families in underserved areas. 

Many MHD WIC clients are referred to the program through their doctors or community events, though word of mouth drives much of the family engagement. “Most of our referrals come from families and friends who’ve had great experiences with WIC,” said Zanon. “It shows the program’s positive impact in the community.” 

For the MHD WIC team, it’s the daily small victories that inspire their work. “A parent sharing that their child is finally eating vegetables or growing off the bottom of the growth chart is so rewarding,” said Lardie. “Hearing families share their small successes makes the work so meaningful.” 

These successes often create a ripple effect. “What families learn at WIC often spreads to their friends and neighbors,” Lardie explains.  

“Good nutrition in the first two years of life is crucial for brain development and sets children up for long-term success,” adds Zanon. 

DeSmidt distinctly recalls one case when a foster father became particularly close with his child’s care team, to ensure his child got the care they needed. 

“He relied on our guidance to provide for his child, and those connections often provide families with much-needed comfort and reassurance,” DeSmidt said.

Taking the Next Step Towards Better Health 

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By making small changes, utilizing local resources, and reaching out for support, Milwaukee families can take meaningful steps toward better nutrition and overall health. With nearly a quarter of Milwaukee residents living below the poverty line, programs like WIC are here to help, offering guidance, education, and community connections to support families every step of the way.