Supporting Illinois farmers and communities

Aug 18, 2023

The Farm to Food Bank Program Act allows farmers to donate products directly to food banks

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A new law in Illinois will provide farmers with extra distribution opportunities while supporting food banks serving communities in need.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Farm to Food Bank Program Act into law on Aug. 3, which creates mechanisms for acquiring and distributing fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy and eggs.

“Foods shall be surplus, seconds, or market-grade quality levels and must be safe for consumption,” the bill says.

The program ran on a pilot beginning in 2021 using grant funding from the USDA that helped farmers offset the costs of harvesting, packaging and transporting food.

During that time, almost 2.5 million pounds of food moved through the program.

But farmers identified the lack of a centralized donation program as a barrier to participating in the program.

This bill makes the program a permanent fixture and will be administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services with $2 million for 2024.

"Illinois farmers are producing some of the finest food in the country, and now that produce, dairy, and meat can go directly to Illinoisans struggling with food insecurity," Gov. Pritzker said in a statement. "It's good for our farmers' bottom line, it's good for those in need, and it's good for our state—a win for everyone in Illinois."

Part of the program’s administration includes the formation of the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council.

The group will include three representatives from the ag industry and one member from an academic institution with expertise in agricultural systems.

The council will help build relationships between the state ag sector and the emergency food system, review and provide plan feedback, and promote the program.

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.