In August 2007, the Governor signed into law the Illinois Food, Farm and Jobs Act.  The Act creates the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farms Task Force consisting of 29 members to develop a plan for expanding and funding a local and organic food system in Illinois, and to identify obstacles to developing such system.  The Task Force must submit its plan and recommendations to the Legislature by September 30, 2008.  The plan must identify:

• land preservation and acquisition opportunities for local and organic agriculture in rural, suburban and urban areas;
• farming training programs;
• financial and technical support necessary to help farmers transition to local, organic or specialty farming;
• strategies to make local and organic food more accessible in Illinois;
• financial and technical support necessary to connect farmers with supply chain actors and consumers;
• financial and technical support necessary to develop new food and agricultural industries for local and organic food production and distribution;
• financial and technical support necessary to further develop farmer's markets, roadside stands, and local grocery stores in underserved areas, and the creation of year-round markets in larger areas such as Chicago;
• identify opportunities to educate the public and producers on the benefits of local and organic food systems; and,
• identify legal impediments to local and organic food production, and recommend remedies.

The task force must also research, identify and coordinate best practices and opportunities for the development of local and organic food production.

This page will be updated periodically with information regarding the Task Force's progress toward the mandated goals.

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