Developing Resilient Local Food Systems

Improving, Bolstering and Expanding Connections in the Food Supply Chain

Through our food system development program, ISA helps build a food system where Illinois farmers feed Illinois. We partner in key statewide coalitions and initiatives to move the food system forward, from the Illinois Food System Roadmap to Cook County’s Good Food Purchasing Initiative Task Force and the Illinois Food System Infrastructure Coalition (IFSIC). We connect farmers to new markets through projects like Farm to School and IL EATS to bridge relationships between growers, buyers, and local institutions.

This program also supports the shift toward more diverse, regionally adapted production through collaborations like the Diverse Corn Belt Project. We strengthen resilience by helping farmers navigate the food system by developing resources on topics like cottage food law, hemp production, soil health, and a direct-marketing legal guide.

When the need and opportunity arose, we stepped in to distribute critical one-time funding to support farmers and local food projects. We administered $2 million in state funding through the Local Food Infrastructure Grant program and distributed over $250,000 in pandemic relief support through the Resilience Fund and Farm Aid—getting resources directly into the hands of those growing and strengthening the local food system. By building connections across the food supply chain, promoting equitable policy implementation, and investing in local food infrastructure, this program lays the groundwork for a future where resilient local food systems nourish communities, steward land, and support thriving farm economies across Illinois.

The Alliance develops resilient local food systems in Two key ways:

1. Connecting Through Coalitions and Partnerships

We serve as a bridge between our members and the broader network of partners working to build a resilient, diverse food system. By participating in coalitions and statewide collaborations, we ensure that farmers and food system leaders are connected to emerging opportunities, and that their voices and experiences shape the direction of collective efforts. We also bring back timely information, relationships, and resources to strengthen our members’ work and influence across the value chain.

2. Producing Practical Guides and Resources

Navigating food and farm policy can be complex—so we make it easier. We develop clear, accessible guides and tools that help farmers and food system leaders understand and act on the policies that affect their operations. From cottage food laws to soil health practices and legal guidance for direct market growers, these resources support real-world decision-making and open up new pathways for success.