By WMBD-TV

MORTON – Midwest Food Bank is one of 15 recipients around the state to receive grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as part of a state-wide initiative to end food insecurity.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the $28.8 million at the Midwest Food Bank in Morton on Tuesday, declaring the funding a big step forward for providing nutrition to those in need.

“Nearly 3.3 million Illinoisans live in a food desert, leaving families with few options when it comes to putting food on the table,” he said.

Pritzker added that access to food is fundamental to having prosperous communities. The grants are awarded in partnership by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

Kristi Jones, Deputy Director of the IDOA, talked about the process of the Illinois-EATS program. It will involve local farmers’ food being purchased by places such as Midwest Food Bank, and the food being delivered to local agencies to serve. This will provide locally grown food to the community at no cost.

“Whether it be a church, a school, someone who is in need of that product, especially the fresh and local product,” Jones said.

An example of a local agency is Sophia’s Kitchen in Peoria.

She added that the program is aimed at being as equitable as possible.

“We’re looking at BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers, LGBTQ+ farmers, veterans, small business owners, women business owners, disabled. We want to make this as inclusive a program as possible”, Jones said.

For Eric Hodel, who is the CEO of Midwest Food Bank, the additional funding and the program itself will be a big help.

“To have the funding to be able to go directly and be able to purchase those items to be able to fill out our menu of options for our agencies is a tremendous boost”, he said.

Hodel said this is a step in the right direction to end food insecurity in the state of Illinois.

“We don’t see it all the time right here in our neighborhood. But definitely from the view of the Midwest Food Bank, we see it, we feel it. There’s a definite need, we’re thankful to be able to serve that need.”