Funding Cutoff for IL-EATS is Toxic Setback for Local Food Community

Farmers, Non-Profits, Food Banks Wounded by Abrupt Reversal

Screenshot from University of Illinois Extension’s IL-EATS page

If you only read one Local Food Forum website article this year, please make it this one. It is a special report on an issue that has the potential to devastate farmers, people facing food insecurity, and the local food ecosystem as a whole.

Over the past few days, we learned that the new regime in Washington, D.C. had cut off reimbursements to participants in two programs that were created under the previous administration: Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. Under this order, any expenses paid by program participants after January 19, 2025 — the last day of the Biden presidency — would not be reimbursed.

The result of this is the suspension of the IL-EATS program implemented by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Under the program, the state used federal funding to contract with socially disadvantaged farmers to buy food products at market value. This food was then distributed through non-profit organizations and distributors at no cost to members of underserved communities.

It is a program of enormous benefits to participating farmers, intermediary organizations and food recipients. Which makes the sudden termination of the program devastating to farmers who contractually laid out their own money to produce crops under the supposedly binding pledge of federal reimbursement; a loss for those who received healthy, local food under the program; and a potentially major setback to our efforts to grow our local food ecosystem.

There is nothing about this program that has anything to do with waste, fraud and abuse. And these cuts have nothing to do with government efficiency.

This article contains my thoughts, the press release about the program termination from Illinois Department of Agriculture; a description (with illustrations) from Raghela Scavuzzo, local program lead at Illinois Farm Bureau) about the wide-ranging benefits of IL-EATS; and essays from Farmers Rising and Tulip Tree Gardens — both entities that have helped implement the program — on the devastating impact of the abrupt funding halt.

Please read, please share, and if you agree these cutbacks are wrong, please let your public officials know.

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Reminder: Big Chicago Food Events are Just Around the Corner

Two focus on Women's History Month; the other is a Chicago Chefs Cook fundraiser

Photo provided by Mariano’s

This Local Food Forum article highlights reminders and updates about three big Chicago food community events -- all advancing good causes -- that are taking place this month.

* Mariano's supermarkets will present part 2 of its 4-part series, tied to Women's History Month, that shines a spotlight on women-owned local food companies. This week's event is Saturday in suburban Westmont.

* One Off Hospitality Group's The Publican restaurant is gearing up for its Oyster Shuck-Off next Wednesday (March 12), at which leading women chefs will be serving up those tasty bivalves. This event, also tied to Women's History Month, will provide proceeds to the Women's Chef Exchange non-profit.

* Chicago Chefs Cook's "I Cook For" fundraising feast takes place on March 20 at downtown's Four Seasons Hotel. More than two dozen of our top culinary artists will be serving at stations, with proceeds divided among charities selected by the participating chefs.

The article contains links to learn more and to buy tickets.