We are excited to introduce you to our 2025 FoodWIse team.  If you are interested in classes and programming please feel free to contact our FoodWIse Administrator Jill Herz.

Maria Schmid, FoodWIse Educator
maria.schmid@wisc.edu

Maria joined the Milwaukee County FoodWIse team in the summer of 2021. She was born and raised in Milwaukee and previously worked as a Nutrition Educator for FoodWIse in Southwest Wisconsin for a year and a half. Prior to that she also worked as a Nutrition Educator at 2nd Harvest Foodbank in Spokane, WA. Her experience includes working with youth, adults, and families in schools, food banks, transitional housing shelters, and community centers. She enjoys introducing participants to new foods and simple recipes. Maria has a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Global Health from UW-Madison. In her free time, she enjoys staying active by running, biking, and exploring the outdoors.

Denise Clark, FoodWIse Educator
denise.clark@wisc.edu

Denise Clark has recently been hired as a Nutrition Educator in Milwaukee County. She is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been working as a Nutrition Educator in Racine and Kenosha counties for the past 5 years. Denise’s experience has been working with children, parents, and older adults in a variety of settings including, community centers, homeless shelters, food pantries, and elementary schools. In her exploration of continuing education, she is still searching to find M&Ms in one of the food groups on My Plate!

Maricela Pantoja, Bilingual FoodWIse Educator 
mpantoja2@wisc.edu

Maricela Pantoja is a Bilingual Nutrition Educator with FoodWIse. She previously worked with Milwaukee Public Schools as a paraprofessional, teaching youth about healthy eating habits. For nearly 10 years, she was also part of the Healthy Choices Program at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, where she supported families in reaching their nutrition and active living goals. Maricela is passionate about helping families live healthier, happier lives through better nutrition and physical activity. She completed the Early Childhood Education Program at MATC and has experience working with childcare centers, K–12 schools, food pantries, and senior centers. She also enjoys leading guided tours at local farmers markets. In her free time, Maricela loves cooking dishes from different regions, baking and gardening.