While I’m traveling around Wisconsin as Alice in Dairyland, I am honored to have the opportunity to visit and frequently go behind the scenes at many Wisconsin companies. From bakeries to butcher shops, to restaurants and farms, each has a unique story to tell and something special to offer our communities across the state.
Shopping at local businesses is a great way to share the joy of gift-giving and support your local economy this holiday season. The American Small Business Association states that “on average, 48% of every purchase made at local independent businesses circulates locally, compared with less than 14% of purchases at chain stores.”
As each company shares their unique story with me, I am inspired by their motivation, perseverance, history and hopes for the future. Over the past few months, I have visited a sixth-generation dairy farm, a bakery started by an extended family that recently opened its first physical location, and an organization that provides women survivors of sexual abuse with sheltered housing, meaningful work, and a healing support network – as well as many other companies with amazing stories! As the 76thvol Alice in Dairyland, I look forward to hearing more from the companies that call Wisconsin home.
Something special With Wisconsin™ (SSFW) makes it easier to discover local businesses. For 40 years SSFW helps consumers identify products made in Wisconsin. SSFW members certify that at least half of their ingredients, production or processing comes from Wisconsin. Members can apply the recognizable red and yellow logo to identify products made in Wisconsin.
No matter who you’re shopping for this holiday season, you can find the perfect gift somethingspecial.com. Browse categories – from crafts and gifts to food and pet products – and search by location, item or business name. Visitors to the website can learn more about our members’ products. The map feature can also lend a hand identify businesses in a specific state location.
I’m currently celebrating Something Special With Wisconsin as part of the Alice in Dairyland holiday campaign. I visit TV and radio stations across the state to share some of the amazing Wisconsin-made products that are part of this program. Tune in to your local channels and see the SS selectionFProducts W! I’ll be sharing items to complement your charcuterie board, delicious snacks, refreshing drinks, necessities, spices to excite your taste buds, books to keep you entertained, and more!
This year’s holiday campaign participants include: Christine’s Kitchen, CJ’s Premium Spices, author Corey Geiger, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese LLC, CTL Foods, Inc., Doorstep Peppers LLC, Emmanuel’s Mix LLC, Flavor Temptations, Franciscan Peacemakers, Grilled Cheese Life, Honestly Cranberry, Jolly Good Soda, Little Bull Falls Soap Works, Mister Burns, Moose Lake Mustard, Mrs. Beaster’s Biskits, Northleaf Winery, Oak Creek Hemp Company, Olympia Granola, Palo Popcorn, Pine River Cheese Spread, Pop’s Kettle Corn, Real Wisconsin Products, SEHR Essentials, Sheboygan Pasty Company, Stanton Legacy Acres, Sweet P’s Pantry, Tom & Ma’s Maple, White Jasmine LLC, White Winter Mead, Cider, Spirits, Widmer’s Cheese Cellars and Wisconsin Candle Company.
This holiday season and all year round, remember to look out for red and yellow Something special With The Wisconsin logo supporting local Wisconsin businesses!
