Prairie State Wire

On Aug. 3, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill to create the Farm to Food Bank Program, making a 2021 pilot program a permanent one. In the two-year pilot, more than 2 million pounds of food were donated to local food banks, according to a press release.

"Illinois farmers are producing some of the finest food in the country, and now that produce, dairy and meat can go directly to Illinoisans struggling with food insecurity," Pritzker said. "It's good for our farmers' bottom line, it's good for those in need and it's good for our state—a win for everyone in Illinois."

House Bill 2879 creates the Illinois Farm to Food Bank program, to be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). The point of the program is to “help expand the availability of nutritious, locally grown, raised or processed foods for the Illinois emergency food system,” according to the page for the bill. 

It says the program will acquire and distribute farm-fresh products from Illinois farmers and aggregators, taking surplus, seconds or market-grade quality fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy and eggs to food banks. The program will also provide grants to improve food bank capacity to ensure the items remain fresh when transported to underserved areas. Rep. Sonya M. Harper filed the bill on Feb. 16 and it moved to the Senate on March 23. It went to Pritzker’s desk on June 9 and was signed on Aug. 3.

"No one should go hungry in our great state. By expanding the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program, we can ensure that more fresh and nutritious food reaches those who need it the most. This program will not only help address food insecurity but also support our local farmers and strengthen our communities," said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou in an Aug. 3 press release.

On April 25, WGLT reported that following the loss of pandemic-level Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) payments, food banks in Central Illinois are seeing an increase in requests for food from food pantries and partner agencies.

“Inflation and food costs are really reducing the buying power and adding to the limited resources in many households. Inflation is really challenging to those living near or below the poverty line, so people are having to make difficult choices on how to use their household budget. People have been turning to food pantries for support,” said Tara Ingham, executive director of the Midwest Food Bank.

Ingham told the outlet that demand for food from partner agencies has increased by 30%.