The Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Department of Human Services worked jointly to secure United States Department of Agriculture funding that provides new opportunities for underserved farmers and communities.
The Local Food Purchasing Cooperative Agreement will allow the State to purchase produce, proteins and fresh processed foods directly from underserved farmers at fair market value.
Food will then be distributed to communities in need, including schools, non-profits and the food bank system.
This planning process will also examine how culturally appropriate fresh foods can be made more accessible to food insecure communities.
For more information on the Local Food Purchase Agreement, you can email agr dot LFPA at illinois dot gov.