All branches will be closed Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. 24/7 banking available using Online and Mobile Banking.
Banks and credit unions in the area are seeing an uptick in spoofed calls pretending to be financial institutions. If you think you may be a victim, please hang up and call your financial institution back directly.
Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens (MAFPG) operates ten gardens throughout Dane County, ranging from less than one acre to 12 acres. Their mission focuses on providing local food pantries with fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant produce. MAFPG collaborates with community partners to survey emergency food system users, helping them plan crops that meet actual community needs.
Mission & Growth
In the late 1990s, Dane County churches and service clubs collected surplus produce from farmers' markets, gathering over 2,000 pounds weekly. When this proved insufficient for low-income households and food pantries, three 1-acre garden plots were established in 2000, producing around 60,000 pounds of produce that first season. Since then, the Gardens have donated over two million pounds of produce and expanded to grow nearly 60 culturally relevant fruits and vegetables across their locations.
Their largest garden, Forward Garden on Old Sauk Road, was established in 2023. Recent upgrades include a new well and irrigation system, renovations to a 113-year-old barn, updated electrical service and WiFi, and a new greenhouse. The greenhouse, which began production in December 2024, houses 15,000+ transplants for future growing seasons across all garden locations.
Forward Garden Upgrades
With demand at Dane County food pantries more than doubling over the past two years, MAFPG expanded their capacity to meet growing needs. The organization relies on over 21,000 volunteers annually, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. More than 13,000 individuals have contributed since 2000, including school and office groups who help with planting and harvesting.
The 2024 barn restoration preserved both history and function. The project included new siding, windows, doors, foundation repairs, steel reinforcement, concrete floors, drains, and electrical upgrades. The barn basement serves as the main produce processing and storage area, while the upper level provides storage and event space. The new irrigation system and well ensure reliable water access regardless of weather conditions.
Community Impact
In 2024, MAFPG supplied produce to 30 local food pantries, community meal programs, and school programs. Partners include Bayview Foundation, Middleton Outreach Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Multicultural Center, Badger Prairie Needs Network, The Hmong Institute, and the Lussier Center. Since April 2022, they've collected nearly 47,000 pounds of food scraps from local businesses and households to improve soil health at Forward Garden.
Today, Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens grows 100,000 pounds of fresh vegetables annually and collects an additional 50,000 pounds through gleaning practices. Since beginning operations, they've donated more than 2 million pounds of fresh, nutritious produce to the Dane County emergency food system.
Get Involved
MAFPG continues expanding its community impact. Their annual Harvest Celebration Fundraiser takes place Saturday, September 27th at Forward Garden, featuring dinner, drinks, live music, and a silent auction. With many crops ready for harvest during August and September, numerous volunteering opportunities are available.
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