The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced it will distribute $3.6 million in grant funds during fiscal year 2026 to support local food infrastructure across the state. The announcement was made at the Everything Local conference in Springfield, where officials detailed how the funds, allocated in the FY26 state budget, will be used to enhance local food processing, aggregation, and distribution.
Grants will be available for both collaborative and individual projects. Collaborative grants range from $1,000 to $250,000 while individual project grants range from $1,000 to $75,000. Applications for funding will open on February 18, 2026 via the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.
“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.”
State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, commented: “Everyone benefits when we empower our local farmers. 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.”
State Senator David Koehler (D-Peoria), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, added: “When we say farm-to-home food, we forget about the critical infrastructure in between. This investment ensures that our food makes it from farm to local food processor and distribution safely and cleanly to your plates at home.”
State Representative Sonya Harper (D-Chicago), Chair of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee stated: “With food prices rising across Illinois, investing in local food infrastructure is no longer optional, it’s essential. 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.”
Eligible applicants include Illinois residents or entities involved in storing, processing, packaging, aggregating or distributing value-added agricultural products who meet specific criteria such as being an Illinois farm with fewer than 50 employees; a cooperative; a slaughter or processing facility licensed by USDA or state authorities; a small-scale food business; a nonprofit organization; or a unit of local government.
Grant funds must be used for activities related to purchasing or improving infrastructure for processing or distributing value-added agricultural products within Illinois.
Interested parties are encouraged to pre-register with SAM.gov and through the GATA Grantee Portal ahead of applying for these grants. Further details about eligibility requirements and application guidance are available on the Department’s website.
