SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) today announced $1.8 million in available funding for the Local Food Infrastructure Grants (LFIG) program. This funding bolsters food access in Illinois and supports items such as refrigerated vehicles, livestock processing, community kitchens, and more. These grants strengthen local and regional food supply chains, which increases access to Illinois agricultural products for communities across the state.
“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,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By equipping producers with funds for infrastructure development and expansion, this program reduces food insecurities while strengthening local economies. I encourage all eligible entities to apply.”
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“LFIG provides agribusinesses, local producers, and nonprofit organizations resources to grow and strengthen our local food system,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “A relatively simple investment like a refrigerated truck, additional storage, or equipment to increase food safety can make a tremendous difference for a small business, giving them the ability to integrate into new markets and provide consumers the ability to purchase fresh food grown within their community.”
Over the last two fiscal year funding cycles since the program’s establishment in 2025, the State has distributed nearly $4 million in grant awards. The latest round of grants will be available for collaborative projects from $1,000 to $250,000 and for individual projects from $1,000 to $75,000 – for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products.
“Everyone needs access to whole, nutritious, locally-sourced foods,” said State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield), Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “By fortifying the food system, we are supporting our local farmers and mitigating food insecurity. This funding will expand access to fresh, local foods, strengthen the local economy, and grow the food supply chain.”
“A strong local food system depends on having the infrastructure in place to move food from our farms to families’ tables,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “This investment comes at a crucial time and gives farmers, food processors, and other local businesses the tools they need to grow, strengthen our supply chain, and keep more Illinois-grown food right here in our communities.”
“I’ve worked for many years to make sure Illinois invests in the farmers and growers who actually feed our communities,” said State Representative Sonya Harper (D-Chicago), Chair of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee. “It’s good to finally see these dollars reaching people on the ground, helping them grow, process, and get more Illinois-grown food onto Illinois tables.”
Information for Applicants
Applications for grant funding will be available November 2, 2026, on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. Interested applicants should pre-register online to prepare in advance of the application window. Registration is required before applying for the grant, and the process can take two to four weeks to complete. The application window closes at noon on January 6, 2027.
Eligible applicants include Illinois residents who store, process, package, aggregate, or distribute value-added agricultural products or plan to do so. All grant funding must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products.
These entities must meet one of the following criteria:
Illinois farm with fewer than 50 employees
Illinois cooperative with fewer than 50 employees
Illinois slaughter and/or processing facility with fewer than 50 employees (facilities must be USDA or state licensed, or be a custom exempt slaughter and/or processing facility)
Illinois food business with fewer than 50 employees
Illinois food hub with fewer than 50 employees
Illinois nonprofit organization
Unit of local government in Illinois
Additional information about the program, including helpful guidance on the application process, can be found on the Department’s website and the Department’s Facebook page. Additional resource slides and a corresponding podcast with more information will be available on the Department’s website and social media channels in late October.
