By TIM ALEXANDER

Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Local food production and infrastructure are receiving a much-needed boost in the Land of Lincoln, thanks to new legislation both in effect and awaiting approval from the Illinois General Assembly.

At a March 20 Statehouse news conference, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance joined with top state officials, a bi-partisan group of state legislators and some of the recipients of the state’s inaugural Local Food Infrastructure Grants (LFIG) to support the development of local food networks. The group was celebrating the awarding of $2 million in state funding this spring to 19 Illinois food producers who provide a wide array of creative and essential projects that help local farmers and growers get more products to more markets.

“We had so many difficult decisions to make, and for every recipient we selected, we had many others whose projects were just as innovative and meaningful for local food development,” said Josh Snedden, grant program coordinator for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. “We thank the (Illinois) Legislature, the Pritzker Administration and the Illinois Department of Agriculture for being great partners on this first round of LFIG funding.”

Recipients of the first round of LFIG funding are indicative of the diversity of Illinois producers targeted by the initiative. The recipients include the Just Roots program, which partnered with Saint James Catholic Church and Food Pantry to convert a vacant lot into the Saint James Community Farm, a half-acre fruit and vegetable farm located on Chicago’s south side. In 2021, they partnered with Grace United Church of Christ and Good Vibes to establish the It Takes A Village Community Farm, a three-acre farm located in Sauk Village, a Chicago suburb. 

Just Roots envisions a world in which every person can access food that benefits their health, community, and environment. With $70,000 in LFIG funds, Just Roots will be able to purchase a refrigerated van and expand their on-site refrigeration capacity, which will help them transport produce between farms and distribute fresh produce to the community.

Another LFIG recipient, Terrapin Farms of Quincy Illinois, will utilize $150,000 in grant funds to create a value-added processing and storage facility, helping many small farmers to create less waste and more value-added products to sell in Illinois. Currently, Terrapin Farms grows 15 acres of produce crops, flowers, pumpkins and more. They also operate a Farm Stand and Co-op located on their farm. Produce for the Farm Stand comes from the farm and as many as 15 other specialty farms located within 50 miles of Adams County. 

For more information on the LFIG program, visit: https://www.illinoislfig.org.

Two bills recently introduced in the Illinois General Assembly also relate to local food production within the state. State Senators Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) and Doris Turner (D-Springfield) are offering legislation to bolster local food economies and uplift farmers, while also tackling food deserts.

“Continuing our commitment to address food deserts across the state, it’s important that we allow farmer-owned grocery stores and markets to receive grants,” said Turner. “Everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious foods no matter where they live. With this initiative, we can ensure our communities have access to food, while boosting our local economies and prioritizing our farmers.”

Turner’s Senate Bill 3219 would expand on the 2023 Illinois Grocery Initiative by allowing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets. DCEO currently offers these grants to existing independently owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores or not-for-profit grocery stores.

“By incentivizing the growth and collaboration of local food providers, we’re not just investing in infrastructure – we are investing in a healthier Illinois,” said Koehler. “This program represents a strategic investment in our communities, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable and thriving future for everyone.”

Koehler’s Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act (Senate Bill 3077) would require the Illinois Department of Agriculture to amplify local food processing, collection and distribution within the state through grants. Eligible applicants would include farms, co-ops, process facilities, food businesses and hubs with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois nonprofit organizations and local governments.

In addition to the available and currently deliberated Illinois local food bills, an opportunity for federal support is now available under the USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants, with applications due by April 9 at www.grants.gov. Established via the 2018 Farm Bill, UAIP Planning Projects initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers and the development of plans related to zoning and other needs of urban production.

“This grant program has proven very popular and impactful in recent years, and we look forward to partnering with more communities nationwide to strengthen local food systems and increase access to healthy foods,” said Terry Cosby, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “These projects will add to the important work communities are doing to build food security in underserved areas.”