Sawyer County Senior Resource Center increases meals costs amidst rising food costs

HAYWARD, Wis. (WBZH) – The Sawyer County Senior Resource Center has announced that they must raise meal prices because of rising food costs.

For seniors that are 60 or older, the suggested contribution for lunch and dinner meals has gone up one dollar. They’ll be $8, effective Saturday, Nov. 1. The center also provides breakfast meals in Stone Lake that will increase from $5 to $6. The Senior Resource Center oversees four meal sites in Hayward, Exeland/Winter, Spider Lake, and Stone Lake, providing meals both onsite and by home-delivery through the Meals on Wheels program.

During a Sawyer County Board meeting earlier this month discussing the 2026 year budget, Executive Director of the Sawyer County Senior Resource Center Wenonah “Joey” Johnson addressed the board by showing examples of the portions sizes that they serve to the seniors.

“In saying all of that, this is what we give our seniors. We’ve heard we give our seniors too much food. This is all based on the guidelines that we have to follow. There are places we can cut, maybe we should prioritize our Meals on Wheels,” said Johnson.

Johnson explained that they have been working towards being more cost effective with rising food costs and a tighter food budget, including portion control, menu changes, and fundraising efforts. The center is also affiliated with Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), a nonprofit agency that provides federal and state resources for programs like the Sawyer County Senior Resource Center. 

The Senior Resource Center had initially requested $234,889 in funding for the 2026 year, while Sawyer County Administrator and Finance Director Mike Markgren recommended about $10,000 less than that amount.  $225,000. 

The Sawyer County Board approved a grant application for the Senior Resource Center for transportation. The Board is slated to meet again on the budget Wednesday, Nov. 12.