The Food Finance Institute is excited to announce its kick-off celebration for Naturally Wisconsin, a new initiative to make Wisconsin the best place to launch and scale business in Wisconsin’s natural sector. This free event will bring together Wisconsin entrepreneurs, investors, brands, farmers, retailers, and industry experts. It will take place February 27, 2025, at 4-7 PM at Pasture and Plenty, 2433 University Avenue, Madison WI. Guests will enjoy complimentary light appetizers and a cash bar.
This celebration features special presentations by Tera Johnson and Peter Robertson, experts in sustainable and conscious brands who both launched leading businesses in the natural products category. Guests will also enjoy delicious, locally sourced food provided by Pasture and Plenty, a popular Madison-area deli, caterer, and meal kit provider known for their commitment to sustainable and seasonal cuisine.
“In organic farming alone, Wisconsin is second in the nation in number of farms, generating $269 million in sales annually,” said Jamie Valenti-Jordan, Executive Director of Naturally Wisconsin and Food Brand Manager at the Food Finance Institute. “Add to that the growing consumer demand for natural, healthy, and sustainable products of all kinds, and the importance of the natural sector in our state is undeniable.”
“We’re thrilled to host this event and bring together the diverse community of entrepreneurs, investors, brands, farmers, retailers, and industry experts that makes Wisconsin’s natural sector so special,” said Sarah Larson, Director of the Food Finance Institute.
Naturally Wisconsin, a chapter of the national Naturally Network, is a project of the Food Finance Institute (FFI) and was launched at the Food Finance Forum and Expo in September 2024. FFI has helped nearly 800 food-focused entrepreneurs build an investible business model through its Fellows Program and other training programs, creating an extensive network that contributes to mutual success. FFI launched Naturally Wisconsin in order to extend the benefits of this network beyond food and farm businesses to sustainable and organic businesses of all kinds across the state of Wisconsin.
The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, and registration is encouraged. RSVP to reserve your spot here.
The Naturally Wisconsin advisory council is made up of:
- Athena Agoudemos – Wisconsin Small Business Development Corporation
- Jess Benish – Fortune Favors
- Jess Benish – Fortune Favors
- Sascha Dhanjal Eiffler – Saffi Sanna
- Mark Doudlah – Doudlah Farms
- Jasper Fallucca – Palermos
- Jeff Glazer – Ogden Glazer + Schaefer
- Cat Johnson – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
- Kyle LaFond – Natural Contract Manufacturing
- Sarah Larson – Food Finance Institute
- Katie Mleziva – Real Foods Brands
- Sam McDaniel – Fortune Favors
- Luke Muschinkse – Eurofins
- David Payne – Potters Crackers
- Nubian Simmons – The Pink Bakery
- Vincent Rice – Summit Credit Union
- Jamie Valenti-Jordan – Executive Director, Naturally Wisconsin; Food Finance Institute
