Pritzker announces $1.8 million for local food infrastructure across Illinois

by Geneseo Current

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced $1.8 million in new funding Thursday for the Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, aimed at expanding food access and strengthening local supply chains statewide.

The grants will help farmers, food businesses and nonprofits pay for infrastructure like refrigerated trucks and storage, livestock processing equipment, and community kitchens. State officials say the investments make it easier for Illinois-grown products to reach consumers while helping small operations expand into new markets.

“Local farmers, food processors, and small businesses play a critical role in ensuring Illinois families in every corner of the state have access to nutritious, local food,” Pritzker said in a statement.

The program was established in 2025. According to the state, nearly $4 million has been awarded over the last two fiscal-year cycles.

This round will fund collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000. Funds can be used to purchase, lease-to-own, rent, build or install infrastructure tied to processing, storage, aggregation or distribution of value-added agricultural products.

IDOA Director Jerry Costello II said even relatively small investments, like a refrigerated truck or added cold storage, can help a small business improve food safety and reach more customers.

Lawmakers backing the program said it targets both food insecurity and rural economic development. State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said the funding would “expand access to fresh, local foods, strengthen the local economy, and grow the food supply chain.”

Eligible applicants include Illinois farms, cooperatives, slaughter and processing facilities, food businesses and food hubs with fewer than 50 employees, as well as Illinois nonprofits and units of local government. Processing facilities must be USDA or state licensed, or be custom-exempt.

Applications open Nov. 2, 2026 on the Department of Agriculture’s website. Applicants must pre-register before applying, a process the state says can take two to four weeks. The application window closes at noon on Jan. 6, 2027.

The department said additional guidance, resource slides and an informational podcast will be posted on its website and social media channels in late October.