Just one year of the IL-EATS program has had a transformative impact on the Illinois food system. Funded by the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance, IL-EATS buys food from Illinois farmers at fair market value and distributes their foods at no cost to communities in need. Farmers are...
Ed Dubrick of DuChick Ranch began raising chickens in 2020. Through IL-EATS, he grew his business and started seeing farming in a whole new light.
When Marty and his wife launched Kakadoodle Farm five years ago, they knew profit and scale wouldn’t come easily. But through IL-EATS, their egg business found the market it needed to grow and thrive.
Jeffrey and Lauren Brokish took on Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery, one of the few goat cheese farms in a region with almost no dairies. Their first year brought big questions — but IL-EATS helped them invest in their future.
In 2019, Mei Shao left her career as an architect to become a mushroom farmer, a leap few would dare to take. With support from IL-EATS, it became a game-changing opportunity to grow her farm and give back to her community.
Andy Hazzard of Hazzard Free Grains grows heirloom corn, oats, and wheat to nourish her community. Through IL-EATS, she gained a reliable sales outlet and opportunities to invest in her farm – and received a phone call she never expected.
At the Collinsville food pantry, Director Stacy Jones makes sure every client is treated with dignity. With help from IL-EATS, they’re able to provide high-quality, locally sourced food that aligns with their mission. One client loved the applesauce—and received a heartwarming surprise when she...
The Joseph Center is a transitional living facility that empowers veterans to achieve self-sufficiency. With support from the IL-EATS program, chefs at The Joseph Center turn local ingredients into hearty, home-cooked meals that nourish veterans and support their journey toward independence....