Illinois food banks will share in over $28-million in USDA grant money to benefit populations in need. Governor JB Pritzker announced $28.8 million in grant funding to provide free locally produced foods to vulnerable communities.  The grants are awarded to organizations in Illinois in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement will let the State of Illinois to purchase food directly from socially disadvantaged farmers at fair market value.

Food will then be distributed by providers, including food banks, farming groups, and other non-profits, to communities in need at no cost. This includes schools, churches, and non-profit organizations.  The funds came from two cooperative agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture.

94.1 WGFA