Enthusiasm for the Wisconsin Agricultural Education Center’s (WAEC) mission continues to build this holiday season. WAEC is pleased to announce Lakeside Foods, Inc. has committed $100,000 to the Create. Cultivate. Educate. capital campaign.
Founded in 1887 as a one plant pea canning company, Lakeside has grown into a leading international food producer of diverse products, employing an average of 1,700 people in 12 manufacturing plants and six distribution centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio.
“We at Lakeside believe strongly in the mission of the WAEC,” shared Glen Tellock, Lakeside’s CEO. “We wholeheartedly support agricultural education. Our industry produces products that fit in nicely with the needs and wants of today’s health conscious society.” We hope future visitors to WAEC walk away with a keen appreciation for agriculture’s role in their daily lives.”
“Lakeside Foods has always been a generous leader in our community, especially supporting causes that help nourish our neighborhoods,” said Julie Maurer, WAEC president. “Their partnership will help us create an educational opportunity in our region that is good for agriculture and our ability to connect with consumers who want to know the origins of their food.”
In recognition of Lakeside Foods’ leadership gift the atrium within the Discovery Center will be named in their honor.
“Thank you, Lakeside Foods, for your support. We are so excited to count this regional leader with global reach among our top donors to our capital campaign,” Kim Kowieski, WAEC Director of Operations, gratefully expressed, “This investment with us will help build a state-of-the-art agricultural educational asset that our industry and larger community will benefit from for many years to come.”