5. CORE OPPORTUNITIES
A) Foster Collaborative Networks and Governance
This report is full of many recommendations for funding, programs, policies, and investments to support shifts in Illinois’ food system. A robust social infrastructure for collaboration and coordination is required for these recommendations to be successful in the long term and to have the desired multifaceted effects. There are many disparate and potentially conflicting sectors, entities, geographies, and industries within the food system across Illinois. However, for holistic shifts in the food system, it will require creative, thoughtful, and good faith efforts to have as many of the stakeholders pulling together to benefit as many people and communities as possible. To get there requires building trust and relationships to facilitate understanding each other’s individual and collective interests and incentives.
Coordination is needed across state agencies and departments to ensure they are not working at cross purposes. Other states address this through coordinated task forces, state food policy councils, and food policy staff in the governor’s office or located in a department that coordinates across departments, agencies, and legislators. The New Mexico Food and Agriculture Council is a hybrid version with both state officials and external partners who collectively develop policy and funding recommendations, problem solve issues, and build relationships. The IL EATS steering committee is a model that could be built upon as well; it similarly brings together public and private partners together to develop, roll out, and support Illinois’ innovative Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) program. Illinois currently has several commissions and task forces developed to address specific issues within the food system. A next step could include an overview of these official bodies and connecting them to ensure they are aware of each other’s work.
Local and regional coordination is also valuable social infrastructure needed to engage with policy issues and opportunities at the municipal and county levels. Zoning, procurement, licensing, permits, food safety, land preservation and access, farmers markets, food retail, and many other policies impacting local food systems are determined and regulated at the local level. The many communities, organizations, businesses, and institutions who want to support sustainable and just food systems are focused on supporting their local areas. Food system coalitions and food policy councils are convening and coordinating spaces that support collective change. The Chicago Food Policy Action Council and the Regional Food Council of Central Illinois are two existing models where the many food system stakeholders are brought together to support direct collaboration, share and pool resources, develop local visions and plans, and help influence and propose new policy solutions. Several states have funded, coordinated, and incubated the development of these local coalitions. MSU’s Center for Regional Food Systems’ coordinates the Michigan Local Food Council network with 27 members from across the state.
Other states with strong plans, charters, and visions all have stakeholders inside and outside of government who are regularly convening. Illinois should develop and support these spaces, councils, and coalitions to support the needed cross collaboration. Statewide groups will need to have input and representation from local communities across the state to find common solutions while local coalitions can tailor their efforts to their communities. There is a strong opportunity for public, private, and philanthropic investment into the people and the time required to organize, coordinate, travel, and participate in these coordination spaces.
“I hope this will go on to create a real organization, not just a paper of some sort. Great to have all these ideas but if you don't have a plan for implementing it what is its value beyond research? Sometimes you just gotta dig in. Remember: if you build it, they will come.”
—Yvonne Scott
B) Promote Community Health and Food Access
Access to nutritious food is a cornerstone of public health, and addressing food insecurity requires a comprehensive strategy rooted in education, consumer engagement, and robust programmatic support. A foundational element is nutritional education, which empowers individuals with the knowledge to make informed food choices. Tailored education programs, especially in schools, clinics, and community centers, can foster lifelong healthy habits, increasing the impact of food access initiatives. Training for procurement teams in institutional settings, such as Beyond Green’s work with Illinois school districts, will build knowledge of the nutritional benefits of sourcing locally produced foods and increase opportunities for healthy food access.
Equally important is consumer engagement, which involves creating meaningful connections between eaters and food systems. This includes outreach efforts that promote available resources like SNAP, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition programs, and local food banks. With enough buying power provided by the programs and a clear understanding of how to access and use these programs effectively, consumer participation and benefit from these services can significantly increase.
The concept of Food as Medicine, which has gained currency in recent years, integrates nutrition into healthcare by recognizing the powerful role food plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Through produce prescription programs, medically tailored meals, and partnerships between healthcare providers and food organizations, patients can receive nutritional support as a complement to medical treatment, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Organizations such as Think Regeneration and Down At The Farms are connecting health care professionals at OSF HealthCare, Heartland Community Care Clinics, and Illinois farmers to help launch produce prescription programs across the state that are supporting chronic disease treatments and lowering prescription drug spending for residents. By creating a nutrition pathway map, they aim to show where nutrition is grown and where gaps in the distribution of fresh produce can affect nutrition capacity, thus showing how food distribution can equate to nutrition distribution. Additionally, Illinois has been awarded a Medicaid 1115 waiver by the federal government that allows for reimbursements to farmers, food hubs, and meal providers for prescribed food boxes, produce coupons, and medically tailored meals. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is also in discussions with external partners to find an implementation plan that works for all of the stakeholders.
Leveraging federal nutrition programs is critical for statewide food access. Programs like SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program can be optimized to ensure that every eligible individual is reached. This includes simplifying application processes, increasing outreach, and coordinating with community-based organizations to eliminate barriers.
Lastly, it is essential to expand fresh food purchasing incentive programs, such as Illinois’ Link Match, which doubles SNAP purchases for local fruits and vegetables, to ensure they are accessible in both urban and rural areas across the state. By including these programs under a broader statewide strategy, they can receive consistent support, encourage local food systems, and expand healthy food choices for low-income households.
Together, these strategies offer a pathway toward a more equitable, nutritious, and resilient food system.
Beyond Green Partners works with school food personnel to train them on scratch cooking, local food procurement and how to structure their kitchens to integrate fresh, local and sustainable food.
“We should be feeding ourselves and our communities before we feed other states. It's best to keep money circulating locally, especially in these uncertain times, as that is where we can make the biggest difference and impacts!”
—Libby Ervin, farmer
C) Advance Environmental Sustainability and Resilience
To build a sustainable and resilient food system, strategic actions must be taken to mitigate environmental impacts while strengthening agricultural ecosystems. Central to this effort is the reduction of food waste, improvement of soil health through cover crops, alignment with climate action plans, and the transition to low-emission, green energy practices.
Food waste is a critical environmental challenge, with significant implications for resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. An estimated 30 to 40% of the U.S. food supply is wasted annually, contributing to methane emissions in landfills. Food scraps decompose without oxygen in landfills creating methane, a greenhouse gas. Addressing this issue requires interventions across the supply chain, including improved logistics and storage, infrastructure for food recovery and redistribution, and public education to promote sustainable consumption. Technologies such as smart inventory systems and standardized date-labeling practices can help reduce avoidable waste and enhance efficiency from farm to fork.
Soil degradation threatens both food security and environmental health. The use of cover crops is a proven method to restore soil structure, prevent erosion, enhance nutrient cycling, and increase biodiversity. These crops also contribute to carbon sequestration, helping mitigate climate change. Expanding the use of cover crops through financial incentives, technical assistance, and farmer-led innovation will improve long-term agricultural productivity and increase resilience to climate-related stresses.
Crop diversification can play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability within Illinois’ specialty crops, grain, meat, poultry, and dairy industries. By integrating a wider variety of crops — such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cover crops — farmers can improve soil health, reduce pest and disease pressures, and minimize the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This practice not only enhances ecosystem resilience but also supports a more stable food system by reducing dependence on a few dominant crops. In turn, a diversified agricultural landscape creates better opportunities for sustainable livestock integration and for fostering closed-loop systems. Supporting diversification will strengthen Illinois’ agricultural economy while aligning with climate-smart practices that protect water quality, biodiversity, and long-term farm viability. As states with high specialty crop production like California experience increased drought and other climate-related strains, supporting crop diversification can position Illinois to step into new markets.
Aligning food system practices with climate goals is essential to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint and prepare for future challenges. Prioritizing and providing incentives for regenerative farming, agroforestry, and climate-smart water use will position Illinois’ agricultural sector as both a climate risk manager and a climate solution.
Transitioning to low-carbon operations is also essential for sustainable food production. This includes electrifying farm equipment, increasing on-site renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, and biogas), and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides. Investments in clean energy infrastructure and incentives for emission-reducing technologies, such as anaerobic digesters, precision agriculture, and closed-loop systems, will lower operational emissions while promoting energy resilience.
Together, these efforts create a more sustainable, climate-resilient food system capable of nourishing people while preserving the environment for future generations.
“Systems like Valley Fresh Harvest and Down at the Farms are making local foods available to me and many people in our state. I am seeing more interest and awareness of the importance of local foods in everyday folks, not just foodies and health nuts, as it once was. I am seeing some young people I know decide to produce food and good food products.”
—A participant
D) Strengthen Economic and Labor Resilience
Strengthening economic and labor resilience in agriculture requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate vulnerabilities and long-term sustainability. A resilient agricultural economy must be capable of withstanding shocks such as extreme weather events, market volatility, and global supply chain disruptions. Supporting a diversified local and regional food system can enhance economic stability by buffering against crop failure, reducing dependence on long-distance supply chains, and fostering community-based markets.
Strengthening the income of farmers growing for the local food system involves improving market access, reducing intermediary costs, and supporting value-added opportunities. By investing in local infrastructure such as farmers markets, food hubs, and CSA programs, farmers can connect directly with consumers, retaining a greater share of the food dollar. Additionally, offering technical assistance and grants for on-farm processing, branding, and sustainable practices can help farmers differentiate their products and command premium prices. Policies that prioritize institutional purchasing from local producers — such as the Good Food Purchasing Policy, including farm-to-school and farm-to-hospital programs — can also create stable demand and enhance economic viability.
To improve livelihoods across the food system, it is essential to uplift the workers who power agriculture and food supply chains. Policies that ensure fair wages, access to healthcare, safe working conditions, and pathways to legal status for undocumented workers are essential. Investing in training, especially for underserved communities and those with barriers to traditional employment, helps create a diverse and capable agricultural workforce equipped to address challenges like food insecurity and climate change. Upskilling workers in areas like technology and sustainability can help the food system better adapt to rapid changes in the climate or market conditions and also address the evolving demands by adoption of new technologies and climate-smart practices.
E) Support Farm Infrastructure and Resource Development
To build a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system, strategic investments are essential in farm infrastructure and resource development. Central to this effort is improving farmland access, especially for beginning and historically underserved farmers. With Illinois farmland being bought up by corporations and investment firms for rental and tax benefits, as well as development pressure in suburban and urban areas driving up land prices, it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to own their own land. (Currently, less than 25% of Illinois farmland is owned by the farmer who farms it.)
Rising rents and short-term leases disincentivize farmers from adopting conservation practices such as no till or cover crops and from diversifying their production beyond commodity crops to grow fruits and vegetables. Programs and policies that support capital access for farmland acquisition (whether rural or urban), long-term lease agreements, and restrictions on corporate ownership of farmland are critical to reversing land loss, enabling farmers to grow food for local consumption while employing regenerative practices and encouraging new entrants into farming. Supporting the bipartisan New Producer Economic Security Act would provide financial support to farmers with less than 10 years of experience.
Addressing the “missing middle” infrastructure — such as regional aggregation, processing, storage, and distribution facilities — is vital to bridge the gap between small farms and larger markets, whether grocery stores or institutional buyers. Without this infrastructure, farmers face limited market access and supply chain inefficiencies, while consumers may be unable to access locally grown foods. The federally funded LFPA program was an important tool in increasing access to markets for farmers and helping to build Illinois’ supply chain infrastructure. Going forward, the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant represents a vital opportunity to invest in local food economies and build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain.
Robust farmer training is foundational for success. Expanding technical assistance, mentorship programs, and place-based education — particularly in regenerative practices, business planning, and climate adaptation — will build the capacity of farmers to thrive in a changing environment. To meet the Roadmap’s goal of increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables grown in Illinois, providing financial incentives and training for commodity crop farmers would help them make the shift to specialty crop production.
These investments and policy shifts will lay the groundwork for a thriving, equitable food system in Illinois — one that supports farmers, strengthens local economies, and ensures all communities have access to healthy, sustainably grown food.
“Our food is medicine, medically tailored groceries, and general food box programming is working well. And the consistency/operational efficiency of those programs is supporting efforts to work with local producers, creating opportunities for local producers to sell into these larger, institutional opportunities.”
—A participant
F) Invest in Illinois’ Local Food System
Investing in Illinois’ local food system is a critical opportunity to strengthen regional economies, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure equitable access to healthy, locally grown food. A growing ecosystem of support — through state programs like Ag Invest and financial partners such as Compeer Financial and Proofing Station — is already contributing to this goal. Additionally, a variety of grants are available to support farm infrastructure, food business development, and community-based food initiatives. However, to maximize impact, Illinois must adopt a more coordinated and collaborative approach across funders and stakeholders. The development of the Roadmap will be a transformative tool to align funding, fill gaps, and scale successful models.
Grants have already played a pivotal role in expanding access to capital for local food producers and entrepreneurs. These include federal, state, and local-level programs such as the USDA’s Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), RFSI program, Specialty Crop Block Grants, Illinois’ LFIG program, the Illinois Grocery Initiative, the City of Chicago Community Growers program, and the Cook County supported Community Food Fund. Private foundations, such as the Food:Land:Opportunity and the Chicago Region Food System Fund collaborations, and nonprofit partners also have offered critical funding to support farm-to-school efforts, infrastructure improvements, food system development, and BIPOC-led food enterprises. However, these grant opportunities can be disjointed and difficult to navigate, especially for small-scale or under-resourced applicants. Additionally, with current uncertainty regarding future federal funding, some of these funding opportunities may no longer be available.
Programs like Ag Invest and Compeer Financial complement grant efforts by offering flexible financing, while Proofing Station provides capital and technical assistance. What is missing is an overarching strategy that connects these efforts. The Roadmap will help funders, including state agencies, philanthropic institutions, and financial partners, better coordinate their grantmaking and lending. It would clarify shared priorities and ensure investments are reaching underserved regions and communities.
By building on the strengths of existing grants and programs and fostering collaboration across the funding landscape, Illinois can accelerate the development of a robust and resilient local food system.
