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IL Food Systems Roadmap Project Releases Powerful Phase I Report

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • Jul 9
  • 3 min read

Thought-Provoking Document Summarizes Months of Community Info Gathering

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The Illinois Food Systems Roadmap project is an effort to determine what assets the state already has in pursuit of a better, more resilient and more localized food ecosystem, and what the necessary steps are to accelerate progress toward that goal.


Administered by Chicago non-profit Experimental Station and steered by a task force of regional food systems leaders, the project in February launch a three-month series of live gatherings around the state, as well as online conversations, to harvest ideas and viewpoints of hundreds of concerned advocates.


And now those insights have generated findings incorporated in the Illinois Food Systems Roadmap Phase I Report. You can access the full report on the Roadmap project website.


The report — 31 pages plus appendices — is very much worth reading, as it is packed with thought-provoking viewpoints.


Here are some of the key findings:


What's Working in the Illinois Food System: We learned that passionate advocates, fertile lands, and innovative programs are driving this vibrant movement for sustainable, local agriculture. Participants shared examples like Boone County’s expanding farmer base, the Down at the Farms farmer marketing and distribution network, as well as urban farms like those in Chicago’s North Lawndale that are transforming spaces like churches into agricultural hubs. We also heard that collaborative networks, such as Illinois Extension and the state’s 300-plus farmers markets, paired with policies like the [Local Food Infrastructure Grants], are enhancing food access, transparency, and equity. And participants told us that cottage bakeries, mobile markets, and concepts like Food is Medicine are helping fortify a more resilient food system.


What's Not Working; What are the Barriers? We heard from participants that there are significant barriers hindering Illinois’ local food production and consumption efforts. Dominated by large producers and consolidated industries, the market marginalizes small farmers, who face high costs, limited land access, and inadequate infrastructure. Black, Latino, and other minority farmers lack sufficient representation, support, and access to resources across the state. Regulatory hurdles, such as costly GAP certifications and restrictive zoning, are also impeding small-scale operations. Additionally, insufficient marketing, coordination, and education disconnect communities from local food, and federal funding cuts exacerbate economic challenges for farmers and food-insecure areas.


Solutions: Emphasizing collaboration, participants proposed solutions including fostering peer learning, creating knowledge hubs, and building inclusive networks to connect farmers, nonprofits, and communities. They also emphasized specific policy reforms, such as revising the Farm Bill to support specialty crops and local procurement, which they said would break down barriers for new farmers and enhance affordability for consumers. Participants advocated for greater investments in infrastructure, like processing facilities and food hubs, alongside education initiatives for youth and communities, which they said would make local food more accessible, sustainable, and foster stronger urban-rural ties.


Core Opportunities were summarized under these headings:


  • Foster Collaborative Networks and Governance

  • Promote Community Health and Food Access

  • Advance Environmental Sustainability and Resilience

  • Strengthen Economic and Labor Resilience

  • Support Farm Infrastructure and Resource Development

  • Invest in Illinois' Local Food System


Along with the highly recommended report, the project has shared a recording of its June 18 public meeting in which the report findings were discussed. Click the button below to access the recording.



Local Food Forum will continue to report on future phases of the plroject, and salutes the following task force members for their energetic and collaborative efforts to advance this important effort.


Rodger Cooley, CFPAC

Ryan Slabaugh, Think Regeneration

Connie Spreen, Experimental Station

Marty Travis, Down at the Farms



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