$1.8 Million Available for Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grants: How to Apply for LFIG 2027

[Viable Food News Desk]

Publisher: Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Published: October 13, 2026
Source: Read at Illinois Stewardship Alliance
Category: Food Access

Illinois is offering $1.8 million through the 2027 Local Food Infrastructure Grant program, administered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Applications open November 2, 2026, and are due January 6, 2027, at noon. Eligible Illinois farmers, food businesses, food hubs, nonprofit organizations, and local governments can seek funding to purchase, lease to own, rent, build, or install infrastructure for processing, storing, aggregating, or distributing value-added agricultural products. The department advises applicants to complete required registrations before the application window opens, a process that can take an average of two to four weeks.

Why this matters: Food businesses and community organizations could use the grant for infrastructure that supports local sourcing, storage, processing, and distribution. That may create opportunities for independent grocers and food-access groups to strengthen connections with Illinois producers.

This post summarizes and links to the original source. It does not reproduce the full article.