By Andi Anderson
A state-run program that helped Illinois farmers sell produce to food banks and pantries is now indefinitely suspended after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ended its funding.
The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA), administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), was designed to buy fresh food from local farmers at fair market value and distribute it to community partners.
The program supported 176 farmers and served over 880 distribution sites, focusing entirely on farmers identified as “socially disadvantaged.”
Illinois was initially approved to receive $43 million in multi-year funding, but $17.8 million remains unpaid. The USDA announced that it would no longer reimburse costs incurred after January 19, forcing the state to return invoices and halt program operations indefinitely.
The program operated through IL-EATS, an initiative run by the University of Illinois Extension. IL-EATS worked by selecting local farmers through an application process, purchasing their produce, and delivering it to food banks and community organizations, which then distributed the food to families in need.
Midwest Food Bank, a key distributor with locations in Peoria and Bloomington, was part of the LFPA program but declined to comment on the suspension’s impact.
The funding cut also affects the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, which aimed to provide revenue opportunities for small and mid-sized farms. Illinois had planned to distribute $6.4 million in grants, but with federal reimbursements halted, farmers can no longer cover upfront costs.
IDOA Director Jerry Costello II expressed disappointment, stating that the lack of federal support has disrupted local food systems. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the funding cut a setback for Illinois farmers.
While regional food security leaders assess the impact, there is no clear timeline for when or if funding will resume.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-valentinrussanov
Categories: Illinois, Government & Policy