SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, announced the award recipients of the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program, distributing nearly $4 million in fiscal year 2026 funding to support the continued expansion of Illinois’ local food system.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
Two Jersey recipients, one Greene County recipient and one Madison County recipient were announced.
The four in the region were:
Fritz Meat and Processing, Jersey County, $57,721.50.
Three Rivers Community Farm, Jersey County, $11,900.97.
The Witty Farmer, LLC, Carrollton, $20,000.
Liberty Apple Orchard, Inc., Madison County, $1,424.21
“Illinois continues to make critical investments that support the local farmers and food businesses that feed our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “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.”
The Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program was created to strengthen the capacity of Illinois producers and food businesses to store, process, package, aggregate, and distribute locally grown products. Funding supports essential investments that help move Illinois-grown food from farm to consumer while building long-term resilience within the state’s food supply chain.
The FY26 budget allocated funds for both collaborative and individual projects. Selected grantees represent a diverse group of farms, cooperatives, nonprofits, food hubs, local governments, and food businesses, with awards ranging from $1,000–$250,000 for collaborative projects and $1,000–$75,000 for individual applicants.
LFIG funds of $2 million were appropriated in the FY27 budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this week. The grant dollars currently being distributed reflect two years’ worth of funding, combining appropriations of $2 million each from FY 25 and FY26.
"The Local Food Infrastructure Grant reflects our commitment to supporting Illinois agriculture,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. “These awards will help farmers, food businesses, and community partners expand their capacity and reach new markets. When we invest in local food infrastructure, we are creating economic opportunity for businesses while ensuring Illinois residents have greater access to fresh, locally grown foods.”
“These investments are a win for Illinois farmers, food producers and families who help keep our state nourished,” said Dave Koehler (D-Peoria), Chief Senate Sponsor. “When we strengthen local food infrastructure, we help fresh food reach more communities while creating new opportunities for the people who grow and produce it.”
“Illinois’ agriculture is the backbone of our state, and it’s essential that we continue our commitment to strong investments into our local farms,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “From expanding food businesses to helping farmers, this funding will allow the agriculture industry to continue to grow.”
"For too long, many of Illinois' small farmers and local food businesses had the passion and the products but lacked the infrastructure to grow. This investment helps close that gap by funding the cold storage, equipment, processing, transportation, and other tools that allow producers to build sustainable businesses, reach new markets, and feed more Illinois families,” said Representative Sonya Harper, Chief House Sponsor and Chair of House Agriculture and Conservation Committee. “I'm proud to have led this effort in the General Assembly because strengthening our local food system strengthens our economy, our communities and our food security."
Grant Recipient
County
Grant Award Amount
Abundant Pastures
Richland
$38,182.27
Academy for Global Citizenship Charter School
Cook
$61,600.00
Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc.
Cook
$75,000.00
AL RAAWI LLC
Jackson
$75,000.00
Alto Vineyards, Ltd
Union
$75,000.00
Angelic Organics Learning Center dba Farmers Rising
Boone
$71,661.17
Arrow Farm Meats LLC
Stephenson
$75,000.00
Beyond Hunger
Cook
$75,000.00
Broadview Farm and Gardens LLC
McHenry
$45,000.00
Carthage Quality Meats, LLC
Hancock
$56,250.00
Chicago Chesed Fund
Cook
$127,500.00
Cribelar Custom Processing LLC
Clark
$75,000.00
Curtis Orchard LTD
Champaign
$75,000.00
Danndee Flowers
Mercer
$72,600.00
Dittmar Farms LLC
Jo Daviess
$21,200.00
Dutch Valley Meats Inc
Douglas
$75,000.00
Elawa Farm Foundation
Lake
$14,617.50
Evanston Grows
Cook
$75,000.00
Eastern Illinois Foodbank
Champaign
$75,000.00
Flamm Orchards INC.
Union
$44,355.59
Food for Greater Elgin, Inc.
Kane
$73,041.00
Four Star Mushrooms LLC
Cook
$75,000.00
Fritz Meat and Processing
Jersey
$57,721.50
GGGY1 DBA Citadelle Green Mountain
Cook
$7,800.00
Gravity Farms, LLC
Livingston
$8,710.28
Grissom Family Orchard and Farm Market
Cumberland
$43,369.00
Heartland Human Care Services
Cook
$59,558.00
Hilltop Butcher Shoppe LLC
Shelby
$72,000.00
Homewood-Flossmoor High School District #233
Cook
$75,000.00
Inspiration Corporation
Cook
$75,000.00
Just Roots
Cook
$49,500.00
Kakadoodle, LLC
Will
$57,093.00
La Criolla, Inc.
Cook
$75,000.00
Liberty Prairie
Lake
$75,000.00
Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry
DuPage
$75,000.00
Lucy Jill Rendleman dba All Seasons Farm
Union
$64,757.25
Mahoney Farms ll
Kankakee
$75,000.00
Main Street Pastures
Clinton
$74,998.51
NeighborSpace
Cook
$205,000.00
Palatine Township
Cook
$75,000.00
Panther Ridge Farms, LLC
Woodford
$42,141.36
Paris Frozen Foods Inc.
Montgomery
$75,000.00
Phoenix Bean LLC
Cook
$75,000.00
Prairies Edge Garden LLC
McHenry
$1,959.00
Prairiesburg Fields, Inc. (Paul Darrow 13)
Kane
$75,000.00
Prairiesburg Fields, Inc. (Paul Darrow 27)
Kane
$62,543.40
Rendleman Orchards Inc
Union
$60,286.02
Riverside Foods
Cook
$52,446.00
Roots & Vine Food Hub
Cook
$9,057.45
Rustic Road Farm, LLC
Kane
$75,000.00
Saradough
Will
$10,642.00
Symphony Foods LLC
Cook
$75,000.00
The FARMS of Illinois LLC
Morgan
$41,766.55
The Supah Food Co LLC
Kendall/Will
$72,000.00
The Witty Farmer, LLC - Jennifer Sauer
Scott
$38,781.99
The Witty Farmer, LLC - Pittsfield
Pike
$25,000.00
The Witty Farmer, LLC - Carrollton
Greene
$20,000.00
Three Rivers Community Farm
Jersey
$11,900.97
Triple M Farm Mariah's Mums & More LLC
DeWitt
$26,465.00
Triple S Farms Families LLC
Shelby
$26,000.00
Vander Burgh Farms, LLC
Moultrie
$75,000.00
Vincent Todd Jokisch
Cass
$32,468.00
Zehr Farms LLC
Tazewell
$65,860.00
The list of grantees is also available on the Department’s website.
Eligible applicants were required to meet administrative program rules, including Illinois entity with fewer than 50 employees involved in the production, processing, or distribution of value added agricultural products. This year’s awardees will utilize grant funding to invest in critical infrastructure such as cold storage, processing equipment, transportation, aggregation facilities, and other improvements necessary to scale operations and improve local food access.
For more information about the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program, including future funding opportunities, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website.
