|
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA)
announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026
at the Everything Local conference in Springfield on Wednesday.
The funds, which were appropriated in the FY26 state budget,
will be used to support local food processing, aggregation, and
distribution. Grants will be available for collaborative
projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects
from $1,000 to $75,000.
“Strong agriculture depends on strong infrastructure,” said IDOA
Director Jerry Costello II. “The Local Food Infrastructure Grant
program gives Illinois farmers the processing, aggregation, and
distribution capacity they need to ensure Illinois-grown food
can reach consumers.”
Applications for grant funding will be available February 18,
2026, on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.
“Everyone benefits when we empower our local farmers,” said
State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield), Chair of the Senate
Agriculture Committee. “By fortifying the food system, we are
supporting our local farmers and mitigating food insecurity.
This funding will expand access to fresh, local foods,
strengthen the local economy and grow the food supply chain.”
"When we say farm-to-home food, we forget about the critical
infrastructure in between," said State Senator David Koehler
(D-Peoria), member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "This
investment ensures that our food makes it from farm to local
food processor and distribution safely and cleanly to your
plates at home."
"With food prices rising across Illinois, investing in local
food infrastructure is no longer optional, it’s essential,” said
State Representative Sonya Harper (D-Chicago), Chair of the
House Agriculture and Conservation Committee. “We created this
program to strengthen our farmers, shorten the supply chain and
ensure Illinois families can access affordable, locally grown
food. I’ve spent my career fighting to move our state from food
deserts and fragile systems toward real, durable solutions, and
this investment helps put that vision into action."
[to top of second column] |
Eligible applicants include Illinois
residents who store, process, package, aggregate or distribute
value-added agricultural products or plan to do so. These entities
must meet one of the following criteria:
an Illinois farm with fewer than 50 employees
an Illinois cooperative with fewer than 50 employees
an Illinois slaughter and/or processing facility with fewer than 50
employees. Slaughter and/or processing facilities must be USDA or
state licensed or be a custom exempt slaughter and/or processing
facility
an Illinois food business with fewer than 50 employees
an Illinois food hub with fewer than 50 employees
an Illinois nonprofit organization
a unit of local government in Illinois
To encourage further expansion of the local food industry, all grant
funding must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting,
building or installing infrastructure related to the processing,
storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural
products.
Those interested can prepare for the upcoming application by
pre-registering with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal.
Additional information about the program, supporting links and
helpful guidance on getting ahead on the application can be found on
the
Department’s website.
|
