State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging local food processors to apply for a new Illinois Department of Agriculture grant aimed at strengthening the state’s food supply chain.
The grant program provides funding to support food processing, aggregation, and distribution projects. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 are available for collaborative projects, while individual projects can receive between $1,000 and $75,000.
Turner, a Democrat from Springfield, says investing in local food systems benefits both farmers and communities.
She says strengthening the food supply chain helps support Illinois farmers, expand access to fresh local foods, boost the local economy, and reduce food insecurity.
To be eligible, applicants must be Illinois residents or organizations involved in storing, processing, packaging, aggregating, or distributing value-added agricultural products — or planning to do so. Eligible applicants include farms, cooperatives, and slaughter or processing facilities with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois food businesses, food hubs, nonprofit organizations, and units of local government.
Grant funds must be used for infrastructure related to processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution, including purchasing, leasing, renting, building, or installing equipment and facilities.
Those interested are encouraged to prepare by pre-registering with SAM.gov and the GATA Grantee Portal. Additional information and application guidance is available through the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
