Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant

The Local Food Infrastructure Grant is established under the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act to support the development of essential agricultural infrastructure in Illinois. Administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture or a qualified nonprofit organization representing farmers, this program aims to enhance local food systems through strategic investments in food processing, storage, aggregation, and distribution infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to increase the availability and accessibility of Illinois agricultural products within local communities while also supporting underserved farmers and food sector businesses. Eligible applicants include Illinois-based farms, cooperatives, food businesses, nonprofits, local government entities, and food hubs, each with fewer than 50 employees. Individual farmers and collaborative projects are permitted, provided they meet residency and operational qualifications. Collaborative applicants must designate a lead entity responsible for grant compliance and reporting. All applicants must be registered and qualified under the GATA Grantee Portal and SAM.gov at the time of application. Entities tied to grant administrators, or those seeking repeat funding for the same project in consecutive cycles, are ineligible. Funds must be used strictly for project-related infrastructure expenses incurred after application submission. Allowable costs include purchasing, leasing, or installing equipment for processing and storage of value-added agricultural products, such as refrigerated trucks, milk processing units, grading and packaging tools, and more. The grant explicitly excludes expenditures for labor, production agriculture, building purchases, land acquisition, and previously reimbursed costs. Projects must demonstrate readiness and a feasible budget, supported by sufficient documentation. Grant awards vary based on project type: individual projects may receive between $1,000 and $75,000, while collaborative efforts may receive up to $250,000. A 25% matching requirement applies unless a project qualifies as "high need," in which case no match is required. High need projects are those addressing critical regional infrastructure gaps or primarily benefiting underserved communities or farmers. The match can be in the form of cash, labor, or other comparable investments from acceptable sources. Applications are evaluated on eligibility, budget realism, community support, benefit to underserved populations, and the potential for long-term economic development. Preference is given to projects from established farmers or businesses, those facilitating local food access, and those demonstrating community engagement or prior collaboration success. All applications must include detailed financial disclosures, project history, proposed budgets, and documentation supporting eligibility and proposed outcomes. Funding is reimbursed and must be requested before the fiscal year ends on June 30, with exceptions requiring prior notice. Performance monitoring includes quarterly progress and financial reporting, documentation of economic impact, and potential site visits. False information or noncompliance may result in funding termination, repayment obligations, and ineligibility for future cycles.

Projects that prioritize underserved communities, show realistic budgets, or provide high-need justification are prioritized.