Central IL food banks get grant to help farmers, areas in need

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Central Illinois Foodbank are getting slices of a nearly $30-million state grant to help get food to those in need — from farmers in need.

The funds are provided in part by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Through the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, the state can buy food directly from socially disadvantaged farmers. That food can then be distributed to underserved communities, such as schools, churches, and non-profit organizations, at no cost.

“By purchasing from underserved farmers at fair market value, this grant supports a community of growers who have historically struggled to establish themselves,” IDOA Director Jerry Costello said. “We are creating new markets for their products while strengthening the food supply chain in Illinois.”

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As the IDOA and IDHS developed the funding opportunity for this program, the University of Illinois Extension partnered with these institutions to hold more than 30 listening sessions across the state and identify key needs. They found that disadvantaged communities lacked formal food distribution sites with sufficient capacity to keep and provide food.

Now, state funds aim to amend this discrepancy. Money is being given to food banks, non-profits, and farming collectives to purchase food products from disadvantaged farmers and give to disadvantaged areas.

EIF and the Central Illinois Foodbank are two of 15 providers that received 20 grants across the state.

“Families across Illinois shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from or have to make difficult decisions in order to meet their basic needs,” said Dulce M. Quintero, IDHS Secretary Designate. “With this partnership, we make our vision a reality, to ensure every single family has access to nutritious, fresh food, all locally grown by under-utilized farmers and growers. This builds on our work to create more equitable access to services in our communities.”

Producers and non-profits who would like to participate in the program can visit Illinois Extension’s website. A complete list of eligible food products can be viewed here.

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