For the 10th year running, the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership will kick off the FDL Fresh 5 Farmers Market Donation Program at the Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market to collect excess fresh foods from farmers and other market vendors for the purpose of providing it to Fond du Lac community members in need.

Beginning Saturday, July 11, 2026, Farmers and other Downtown Farmers Market vendors will be encouraged to donate excess produce, whole grains, protein, baked goods and/or canned and jarred goods at the end of each market day through the FDL Fresh 5 program. Foods donated through this program will be collected by and provided to Fondy Food Pantry in Fond du Lac.

Each year, billions of pounds of food are thrown away in the U.S, with some estimates indicating up to 20% of the country’s food supply goes to waste. At the same time, 2023 data from Feeding America indicates that over 11,560 people in Fond du Lac County, including over 3,400 children, are at risk of going hungry. By collecting and donating excess food in our community, FDL Fresh 5 addresses these issues here in our community by giving at-risk individuals access to fresh and locally grown foods that are not always available and/or affordable.

Through the FDL Fresh 5 program, up to 3,000 lbs. of fresh, nutritious goods have been donated annually, preventing unnecessary food waste and providing access to fresh, nutritious foods for foodinsecure populations within Fond du Lac.

2026 collections will take place each Saturday, July 11th – October 18th, with the exception of September 12th.

To stay up to date with events happening downtown Fond du Lac, follow the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership on Facebook and Instagram. The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people, activity, business and a thriving civic life back to the heart of Fond du Lac. The DFP serves 214 properties with 280+ businesses, 76% of which are small, locally owned and operated.