Illinois local food infrastructure grant plan signed into law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A new state law will require the Illinois Department of Agriculture to enhance local food processing, collection and distribution through a new grant program. 

Recipients could use the local food infrastructure grants for production, packaging, refrigerated trucks and processing equipment. Lawmakers said this is a great incentive for local food providers to invest in a healthier Illinois.

"Right now, if you look at Illinois, 95% of our food is brought in from outside," said Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). "That means trucking food thousands of miles away when we have the richest, fertile farmland anywhere in the world right here."

Farms, co-ops, process facilities, food businesses and nonprofits with less than 50 employees could receive these grants to get more local food on store shelves.

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance said a 10% shift in the average grocery budget towards local food could generate billions in economic growth for Illinois.

"That money and that economic benefit is actually leaving our communities," said Josh Snedden, grant program coordinator for the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. "Whereas we see a 30% increase of that same dollar when it's spent with a local producer."

Grant proposals may be submitted by individuals, groups, partnerships or collaborations. Sponsors said organizations could receive grants of $1,000 to $250,000 for collaborative projects. Grant awards for individual projects will range from $1,000 to $75,000. 

The grant administrator will also be required to file an annual report detailing the impact of the grant program with a list of the applications and recipients from the previous year. This report will also include a statement of the economic impact of grants, which may include jobs created, local food sales increase and communities served. 

Senate Bill 3077 took effect Friday. 

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