Illinois farmers and food banks face many challenges amid cuts to federal food programs
Peaches are on display at Flamm Orchards in Cobden, Illinois. Brian Munoz/St. Louis Public Radio
Agriculture is a key part of the Illinois economy, but recent changes to federal food funding are putting pressure on some farmers and the communities that rely on their products. Programs like Illinois Eats, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Biden administration aimed to help farmers sell directly to food banks and communities with food insecurity.
However, as of this week, this $14 million program and many like it have been shut down. That’s because the Trump administration froze the Local Food Purchase Assistance program. The cuts affect around 176 Illinois farmers. Some organizations have not yet exhausted their funds and have enough money to last until the end of September, but beyond that, the future is uncertain.
A farmer who was counting on this program, the head of an organization that also depends on the funds, and experts on agricultural law and policy join the program.
GUESTS
Heather Edwards
Executive Director of Rooted for Good from DeKalb County, IL
Austin Flamm
Owner of Flamm Orchards
Jonathan Coppess
Professor of Agricultural Law and Policy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Makala Bach
Outreach Associate with Illinois Extension within College of ACES at the University of Illinois