Illinois Just Handed Out Nearly $4 Million to Local Farms

The State of Illinois is distributing nearly $4 million in Local Food Infrastructure Grants, including major awards to farms and organizations in Northern Illinois.

Illinois Invests Nearly $4 Million in Local Food

Illinois is investing millions of dollars to strengthen its local food system through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Fiscal Year 2026 Local Food Infrastructure Program.

Illinoisans deserve fresh, nourishing food that was grown close to home, and these grants will help producers statewide expand access to locally grown products in their own communities. -Governor JB Pritzker

The funding is designed to help farmers, food businesses, and community organizations expand the ability to store, process, package, transport, and distribute Illinois-grown products.

Northern Illinois Farms Among Grant Recipients

Several Northern Illinois operations are among the grant recipients, including Arrow Farm Meats in Stephenson County, which received $75,000.

In Boone County, Angelic Organics Learning Center was awarded a grant of just over $71,000, while more than $21K is going to Dittmar Farms in Jo Daviess County.

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According to the Illinois Department of Ag, the grants ranged from $1,000 to $250,000 for collaborative projects and $1,000 to $75,000 for individual applicants.

Funding Targets Critical Food Infrastructure

Grant recipients will use the funds for projects such as cold storage, processing equipment, transportation, and aggregation facilities.

Eligible applicants were required to be Illinois entities with fewer than 50 employees involved in producing, processing, or distributing value-added agricultural products.

For more information about the Local Food Infrastructure Program from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, CLICK HERE.