MORTON, Ill. – Food banks in Illinois will have more power to buy food that helps serve needs better in their area, as well as supporting those farmers and food producers who provide.
Governor J.B. Pritzker announced at the Midwest Food Bank in Morton on Tuesday nearly $29 million has been given in United States Department of Agriculture funding to 15 food banks across the state. Midwest Food Bank is receiving $5 million of the funding.
The purpose of the funding is to allow food banks to buy directly from farmers that the state says is underserved, or struggling to break through, and give it to the organizations or people in the greatest of need. State officials say those farmer groups include minorities, LGBTQ, veterans, and small businesses.
Pritzker says the program will aim to help around 3.3 million people in the state in food deserts or dealing with food insecurity.
“We can, and must, do better in our state, especially for our rural communities, because food access is fundamental to healthy and prosperous communities and families,” Pritzker said.
Midwest Food Bank CEO Eric Hodel says his organization provides food to more than 800 organizations and groups across central Illinois.
He says it will make it easier for the food bank to provide more high-quality protein and produce; such as chicken breasts, asparagus, sweet corn, and more. And it will make budget decisions easier for those struggling.
“It’s probably less products that they maybe have to use their SNAP dollars to go purchase at a store,” Hodel said. “So it’s more high-quality products they can get from their food bank, which takes a little bit of pressure off their household budget and their grocery bill.”
Hodel says it was an “honor” and “humbling” to host the announcement at Midwest Food Bank. He’s also hopeful it can increase the awareness of the food bank, and attract more volunteers to help them out.
Comments