Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant

The Illinois Farm to Food Bank Capacity-Building Grant is a reimbursement-based funding opportunity designed to strengthen the local food supply chain by supporting farmers, food banks, and community-based organizations in Illinois. Administered by Feeding Illinois, this program is part of the broader Illinois Farm to Food Bank (IL-F2FB) initiative. The primary goal is to help ensure that more Illinois-grown food reaches communities in need through improved infrastructure, logistics, and operational capacity. Funding supports practical capacity-building projects such as adding cold storage or refrigeration units, purchasing vehicles and delivery equipment, upgrading facilities for safe food handling and packaging, and implementing technologies for tracking and distribution. These investments are intended to expand the volume, safety, and efficiency of moving fresh, nutritious food from Illinois farms to emergency food programs across the state. However, the grant does not support routine operational costs, general business expenses, or the direct purchase of food products. Eligibility is limited to Illinois-based farmers, producer cooperatives, agricultural partnerships, aggregators, food banks, and community organizations that are either currently providing or actively preparing to provide food into the state’s emergency food system. A critical eligibility requirement includes the demonstration of a current or planned partnership with at least one Feeding Illinois food bank partner, validated through a letter of support. The project must be clearly aligned with IL-F2FB objectives and contribute directly to the infrastructure supporting local food access. The grant offers awards ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, with a total pool of up to $1.5 million statewide. A non-State matching requirement of 50% (1:1) is mandatory, with at least half of the match being in cash. Match waivers may be considered under special circumstances, but food banks are not eligible for these waivers. All grant activities must be paid for by the recipient upfront, with reimbursement requested afterward. The grant period runs from July 2, 2025, to June 30, 2026, subject to state appropriation. Rollover of funds may be permitted under specific conditions, provided they are expended by December 31, 2026. The application window opens February 6, 2026, and closes March 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Applications must be submitted online at feedingillinois.org/capacitygrant. Submissions sent through other means will not be reviewed. The application form is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly. Applicants are encouraged to plan their cash flow in advance due to the reimbursement structure. Required attachments include a project narrative, budget, timeline, and a conflict of interest disclosure. All applicants must also meet administrative prerequisites such as an active SAM.gov registration and State of Illinois prequalification. Applications will be reviewed after the submission window closes by the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council in collaboration with Feeding Illinois. Awards will be announced on April 10, 2026. Office hours will be hosted weekly on Wednesdays (February 11, 18, 25) for applicant support, and all questions answered during these sessions will be added to the public FAQ. For further inquiries, applicants can contact the grant administrators at [email protected]. All questions must be submitted at least five business days before the application deadline to receive a public response.

Plan cash flow early; this is a reimbursement-based grant and match is required.