Greetings Northside neighbors.
Here in 2026, we believe that our mission and work at the Northside Planning Council (NPC) and all our programs and events is needed now more than ever. Our mission it to improve the quality of life and foster equity on the Northside and our regional food system. That is what we are doing.
“Our Regional Food System”: Did you know there is a Dane County Food Action Plan (DCFAP) being created currently? Chris Brockel who is co-director of NPC and oversees our Food System work at FEED Kitchens, FEED Bakery and Training, and Healthy Food for All is actively involved in this DCFAP (Chris is also a veteran member of the Madison Food Policy Council.) You can google search and follow this initiative and signup for updates from this planning effort regarding some of the key ideas, questions, needs and opportunities identified for our regional food system. NPC and our food programs are leading out in some of these spaces with our ongoing work. Our food programs address social determinants of health and equity through entrepreneurship in food businesses, job creation and job training, as well as feeding hungry neighbors directly in communities and through pantry partners via our food recovery and waste reduction initiative.
“The Northside”: Did you know there will be a formal North Area Plan process led by the City of Madison Planning department that begins near the end of 2026 through 2028? Again, NPC is actively involved and strategically positioned to support Northside interests and voices for this important work. We agree with our Northside neighbors, businesses and leaders who want to be at the table of decision making. We encourage all our readers to sign up for updates and engage with this planning process via the City’s planning website (North Area Plan).
Topics the North Area Plan will cover mirror the categories from Madison’s Comprehensive Plan and include the following: Land Use and Transportation, Neighborhoods and Housing, Economy and Opportunity, Culture and Character, Green and Resilient, Effective Government, Health and Safety.
All these areas will impact the future of the Northside as resources, developments and investments follow these plans made. What is the Northside you want to live in? What is the Northside you want for your neighbors, your children and your grandchildren?
Let’s help shape our future in ways that make this place, and all its people thrive.
Let’s go Northside!
