SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin is disheartened the federal administration ended the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program – a major blow for both farmers and the people who depend on the programs.

“With this decision, the federal administration has shown total contempt and lack of empathy for our local farmers and our communities most vulnerable,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “Many Illinoisans depend on these programs to get fresh, healthy food and the federal administration is gleefully taking that food off folks’ dinner tables. The Illinois-EATS program allows us to connect disadvantaged farmers to people who desperately need access to healthy food. Slashing this program has brought uncertainty to folks who need as much stability in their lives as they can get.”

The pro-farmer grant cut by the federal administration was the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program. This grant program aimed to improve food processing, distribution and market opportunities for farmers, and Illinois has committed to using the funding for only socially disadvantaged farmers.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program —which is implemented in Illinois through the Illinois-EATS initiative – used federal dollars to purchase farm fresh produce from local farms, which was then distributed to food pantries and other providers at no cost. Since Illinois-EATS was implemented, over 170 disadvantaged farmers have delivered food to 883 locations around the State, including pantry networks in western Illinois.

“We are disappointed that we will not have the opportunity to participate in the IL – EATS program, as demand continues to grow, this was a unique pathway for us to access local food for our guests,” said Chris Ford, president and CEO of River Bend Food Bank. “The program provided us the opportunity to not only build relationships with local farmers but purchase their food at fair-market value and distribute it to our Hunger Relief partners throughout western Illinois.”

“We have already seen a very large increase in people needing food assistance, cut to SNAP benefits means people will go hungry and children will not have access to regular meals if there are cuts,” said Nancy Mowen, executive director of Jamieson Community Center in Monmouth. “Missing one meal on a regular basis can negatively impact a person for their whole life.”

Halpin vows to stand on behalf of Illinois farmers and families this legislative session.