Rockford-Area Farmers Encouraged to Begin Local Food Infrastructure Grant Applications Now

ROCKFORD -- Farmers, food businesses, cooperatives, and community organizations across Rockford and northern Illinois are being encouraged to begin the application process immediately for the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Food Infrastructure Grant (LFIG) program as the March 27 deadline approaches.

Advocates say interested applicants should begin preparing now because several state registration steps must be completed before an application can be submitted — a process that can take time if not started early.

Applications for the FY2026 program opened Feb. 18, offering farmers and food system partners an opportunity to secure funding for projects that strengthen the infrastructure needed to move Illinois-grown food from farms to local markets, schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and families.

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is urging growers and food entrepreneurs in Rockford and across northern Illinois to start gathering application materials now to avoid delays as the deadline nears.

“Local food doesn’t move itself,” said Liz Moran Stelk, executive director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance. “Farmers across Illinois are ready to meet growing demand for locally produced food, but they need the infrastructure to do it. The LFIG program helps close that gap, strengthening farms, communities, and local economies.”

The Local Food Infrastructure Grant program supports investments that help build stronger local food supply chains. Eligible projects include cold storage facilities, food processing equipment, aggregation hubs, transportation capacity, and distribution systems — key tools that allow farmers and food businesses to expand market access and improve efficiency.

For growers in northern Illinois, those improvements can help strengthen connections between farms and local buyers, including grocery stores, restaurants, school districts, and community food programs.

Across Illinois, the program has drawn strong interest from farmers and food entrepreneurs looking to scale their operations and reach new markets.

Previous grant recipients illustrate the program’s impact. In McLean County, Funks Grove Heritage Fruits & Grains used LFIG funding to improve grain handling and on-site processing infrastructure, reducing transportation burdens and allowing the farm to retain more value locally within the regional food economy.

“These are exactly the kinds of ripple effects we envisioned,” Stelk said. “When you invest in infrastructure, you’re not just helping one farm. You’re strengthening supply chains, improving food access, and supporting jobs in communities across Illinois.”

Advocates say strong participation in this year’s application cycle will also help demonstrate the continued demand for the program as state lawmakers debate the next budget this spring.

Farmers and organizations interested in applying are encouraged to begin the state registration process now to ensure they can complete their applications before the March 27 deadline.

More information about eligibility and application requirements is available at:
https://agr.illinois.gov/assistance/illinoisfarmprograms/lfig.html