Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program (FY26)

The Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program (FY26) is a grant program offered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture to support the development of local food processing, aggregation, and distribution in Illinois. The program aims to invest in critical local food infrastructure to bolster the processing, aggregation, and distribution of local food. The grant funding can be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products. Key aspects of the grant program include: • Eligible applicants include Illinois farms, cooperatives, processing facilities, food businesses, food hubs, nonprofit organizations, and units of local government. • Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $250,000. • The total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this program is $3,600,000. • Grantees are required to complete a Periodic Financial Report and Periodic Performance Report on at least a quarterly basis. • Grantees are also required to submit a final closeout report within 60 calendar days following the end of the period of performance.