In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we sit down with Feed My People Food Bank, the organization serving 14 counties across West Central Wisconsin and distributing more than 7 million meals each year. We talk about rising community needs, innovative hunger‑relief programs, and how volunteers and partners help make it all possible.  For more information you can access their website: Feed My People Food Bank

This episode of Beyond the Bell: Food Edition features filmmaker Jim Winship discussing What We’re Hungry For: How Food Pantries Fed Rural Wisconsin During the Pandemic, a documentary exploring food insecurity and community resilience in rural Wisconsin during COVID-19. Through powerful firsthand stories, he highlights the critical role food pantries played in supporting families and strengthening communities during a time of unprecedented need. Tune in to learn what these experiences can teach us about food security today.

Link to the film:  https://youtu.be/nxAO-dpAkkQ?si=wjMJ7n-G212ArW1e 

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we spotlight REAP Food Group’s Farm to School program and its mission to nourish students, support local farmers, and build a more just food system. Learn how REAP is transforming school meals, empowering youth through food education, and tackling food insecurity with community-driven solutions.

https://www.reapfoodgroup.org/   &   https://farmfreshatlas.org/  

From school field trips to family experiences, the Food + Farm Exploration Center creates meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to connect with where their food comes from and the farmers who grow it. In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we explore how hands‑on education, agricultural innovation, and community collaboration inspire curiosity, strengthen agricultural literacy, and build healthier, more connected communities across Wisconsin.

https://explorefoodandfarm.org/  

In this episode of Beyond the Bell: Food Edition, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Racheal Haas shares how Bloomer Middle and High School’s hydroponic systems are turning classrooms into hands-on learning spaces. The program gives students real-world experience in sustainable agriculture while producing fresh food for school meals, the local pantry, and families in need—showing how education and food access can grow together.  Home | Bloomer High School

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, Emily James from the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area explores trauma‑informed youth programming in Out‑of‑School Time settings. The conversation highlights how creating safe environments, building trust, and empowering youth through supportive relationships and routines helps foster resilience, emotional well‑being, and long‑term success.

 In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we explore how UW-Stevens Point at Marshfield, Marshfield Clinic, and Fork Farms are using hydroponic farming to transform food access. Learn how this partnership is tackling food insecurity, supporting local health initiatives, and engaging students in sustainable agriculture—all while growing fresh produce year-round.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we explore UW–Stout’s hands‑on Middle and High School STEAM Camps, where students in grades 6–12 dive into science, technology, engineering, art/design, and math in real university labs and studios. Our guest shares how these programs spark curiosity, build confidence, and connect youth with engaging mentors and creative learning experiences—helping families and out‑of‑school‑time programs understand what makes these summer opportunities so impactful.   High School STEAM Summer Camps | University of Wisconsin - Stout. 

In this episode of Beyond the Bell, we visit Sullivan Family Farm in Manitowoc County—a community-supported farm rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to clean, nutrient-dense food. What began as a personal mission has grown into a collaborative effort to nourish families through sustainable agriculture, grassroots partnerships, and educational outreach like Fridays on the Farm. Join us as we explore how this family-run farm is transforming food access, building community resilience, and redefining what it means to grow with purpose.

Discover how teens are transforming healthcare conversations through the PATCH Teen Consultant Program. In this episode, we talk with student consultants who share their experiences, insights, and why youth voices matter in creating better, more inclusive care for adolescents.