$6.4 Million Food and Farm Infrastructure Grant Program Unveiled
State of Illinois collaboration with USDA will increase impact for local food ecoystems
Major Initiative Announced at Everything Local Conference
The three-day Everything Local Conference in Springfield got off to a news-breaking start. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, a $6.4 million competitive grant fund. The program has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture “for projects designed to strengthen our state's food supply chain,” Stratton said.
“The program will provide federal funding to small and mid-sized local producers working to fortify their economies and food supplies. These funds will uplift our state's number one industry and further our progress toward ending food insecurity,” said Stratton, who is in the second year of her second term as lieutenant governor and has made support for the state’s local farm and food communities a signature issue.
The federally funded grants expand upon the state-funded Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, enacted last year, which is providing a pool of $2 million to address one of the most crucial issues facing farmers in Illinois’ food system: a lack of critical infrastructure such as mills, food hubs, livestock processing facilities, refrigeration, trucking, and community kitchens to get food from their farms to the schools, institutions and communities that need it most.
Grant applications for the Illinois program close on January 31; applications for the federal-state collaboration, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, will open on Monday (January 22) and will be open through March 15.
Stratton emphasized the process for the new $6.4 million program will highlight the importance of “connections to ensure that specialty crop growers are included in the industry's growth and that specialty crops [vegetables and fruit] are profitable connections that uplift farmers markets and drive residents to local food sources. Building a better world is about engaging in conversations and ensuring that every voice has a seat at the table.”
Stratton’s remarks were echoed by Jerry Costello, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Everything we're doing here is about people,” Costello said. “It's about connectivity. It's about making sure everyone has access to the same rich, nutrient-dense foods. And it's about community. It's about helping your neighbor, and about working together.”
Costello was followed by Christy Jones, the department’s deputy director, who provided detail about what kinds of entities will be eligible for grants.
“Applications will be accepted from food and farm businesses, non-profits, local government entities, universities, schools and hospitals,” Jones said. “Illinois is making it a priority to fund small and underserved businesses throughout this project. Veterans, small businesses, women, small businesses, and BIPOC growers are encouraged to apply.”
Click below for more specifics from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
The Everything Local Conference is presented as a collaboration of Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Farmers Market Association, and Illinois Specialty Growers Association. Local Food Forum is in attendance and will continue to provide coverage through and beyond the end of the conference.