Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has announced the availability of $6.4 million in competitive grant funds aimed at strengthening the state's food supply chain. The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program (RFSI) is a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Starting January 22, 2024, applications will be accepted from food and farm businesses and other eligible entities, including nonprofits, local government entities, universities, schools, and hospitals.

Governor JB Pritzker stated, "The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program provides federal funds to build upon Illinois' investments in local food. When we help small and mid-sized producers grow, we expand access to fresh, local food products, fortify local economies and strengthen the food supply chain."

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton added that "The Resilient Food System Infrastructure program uplifts our state's number one industry and puts us on a path to ending food insecurity. Every community in Illinois deserves access to fresh, nutrient-dense food, and these grants will bring historically disinvested areas closer to that reality."

The program aims to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain by supporting activities that occur after harvest but before retail sale. This includes processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distributing locally and regionally produced food. However, meat and poultry products are excluded as they are funded through other USDA programs.

Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture remarked that "An investment of this size offers a tremendous opportunity to support small and underserved farmers and business owners in Illinois."

Grants under this initiative fall into two categories: Infrastructure—which seeks to expand capacity—and Equipment Only—which funds equipment costs.

Brian Duncan, President of the Illinois Farm Bureau said that "RFSI grants will strengthen the middle of the food supply chain which in turn strengthens the future of farming."

In 2023, stakeholder engagement through statewide listening sessions was conducted by University of Illinois Extension along with IDOA to gather insights on experiences within the Illinois food system. These sessions highlighted infrastructure and equipment as major needs.

Shelly Nickols-Richardson from University of Illinois Extension noted that "Infrastructure and equipment were the greatest needs voiced during the listening sessions."

Interested parties should apply online by March 15, 2024. Applications from smaller farms and ranches as well as underserved communities are encouraged.

For further details about this initiative visit USDA's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage.