Applications for Food Infrastructure Grants Open
A big state legislative victory this year created a $2 million fund
Alliance Announces Grant Opening: Deadline 1/31
Last week Local Food Forum highlighted the December 12 annual meeting of Illinois Stewardship Alliance, the state’s leading non-profit public policy advocate for the state’s producers and eaters. Today, the Alliance announced the opening of applications for the $2 million Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant — one of the most important state government policy measures aimed at rebuilding a resilient local food ecosytem in Illinois.
The enactment of this program was one of the Alliance’s biggest legislative victories this year. It addresses 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.
There was a time when most food was local food, and communities in Illinois and across the U.S. bustled with facilities such as these. But over the course of the 20th century, improvements in rapid transportation, the rise of supermarket chains and broad-scale distributors, the centralization of food processing, and the increasing dominance of the “conventional” food system caused much of this local food infrastructure to wither.
Local food has been making a comeback at an accelerating pace through this first quarter of the 21st century, driven by rising consumer interest in food that is better for people and the planet and a growing community of farmers seeking to produce such food. But the gaps in local food infrastructure have hindered even more rapid growth. The Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant is a historic commitment by the state government to address these needs.
The following is the Alliance’s press release announcing the grant application launch.
————————————
New Statewide Program Now Accepting Plans for $2 Million for Local Food Infrastructure
Millions of new state dollars are now available for Illinoisans interested in building out the state’s network of local food infrastructure — from animal processing to trucking, and food hubs to community kitchens.
The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is announcing that between now and Jan. 31, 2024, nearly $2 million in funds are available for applicants who have an idea to get more homegrown foods to market.
Grants of up to $150,000 per project will be awarded through the Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant, with funds to be distributed after projects are considered in March 2024.
The deadline for applicants is Jan. 31. Click the button below for more information and to apply.
The program is the result of an advocacy campaign by the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, which recognized the state’s food system has one major challenge: while there are farmers with exciting products ready for broader consumer consumption, the infrastructure needed to get those to market needs strengthening.
The group’s legislation resulted in a $2 million state grant, approved by the state Legislature and Gov. Pritkzer’s administration and provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, for the Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant program this year.
After the Jan. 31 deadline, grant applications will be reviewed by a committee of local agriculture and food specialists. Only one grant is available per applicant, at a cap of $150,000 per award, and a minimum of 12 grants will be awarded.
Eligible applicants include Illinois farms or cooperatives with fewer than 50 employees, similar-sized processing facilities or food businesses, local governments, health care entities and even correctional facilities. Allowed expenses include transportation vehicles such as refrigerated trucks, milling or pressing equipment, cooler walls and refrigeration units, and much more.
Preference will be given to proposals that have established community support, have a positive economic impact on the local food sector, increase availability of agricultural products to underserved communities, projects involving underserved farmers, and those that support long-term economic development in local foods.
Program administrators say the goal of this initial round of project funding is to tap into the innovative thinking across Illinois to expand the local food network, and also to show the promise of growing this program to turn this initial round into a long-term investment in local food infrastructure.
“We are excited to partner with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to open new doors of opportunity for dedicated people who share our commitment to a stronger local food network in every part of the state,” said Josh Snedden, Grant Program Coordinator for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. “We encourage anyone with a good idea to submit their proposals by Jan. 31 and look forward to reviewing and supporting a great first slate of infrastructure ideas next spring.”
For the latest news on the Local Food Infrastructure Grant, subscribe to the Alliance eNews.
Like the graphic above says: By getting a paid subscription to Local Food Forum by Sunday, you can help this mission-driven publication take steps toward financial sustainability, and 20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Lurie Children’s Hospital’s pediatric cancer unit.
Why Sunday? It’s the 20th anniversary of the cancer surgery that saved my life. Reason to celebrate and reflect on my good fortune.
So here’s the ask. So far the generosity of folks who have taken new subscriptions — for just $5 a month or $50 for the year — has enabled me to set aside $134 for kids with cancer. I like to set goals, and to nudge that up to $150 requires only two new paid subscriptions. To get to $200… there’s a nice round number… requires only seven new paid subscriptions.
Your consideration will be greatly appreciated.
Hobbes’ World, and Welcome to It
The view from my computer this morning. As much as I love what I do, there are times when I wish I could trade places with this dude.