SPRINGFIELD – As a strong supporter of Illinois farmers, State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging local food processors to apply for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s new grant, with funding to support 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.

“Everyone benefits when we empower our local farmers,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “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.”

To be an eligible applicant, organizations must meet these qualifications: be an Illinois resident who stores, processes, packages, aggregates or distributes value-added agricultural products, or plan to do so. These entities must meet one of the following criteria: a farm, cooperative or slaughter/processing facility with fewer than 50 employees. As well as an Illinois food business, a food hub, a non-profit organization or a unit of the local government of Illinois. Those interested can prepare for the upcoming application by pre-registering with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal. 

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.

Additional information about the program, supporting links and helpful guidance on getting ahead on the application can be found on the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.