SE Illinois News

State Senator Dale Fowler expressed his enthusiasm for the newly announced grant program from the Illinois Grocery Initiative, aimed at addressing food deserts in the state. He stated, “As a strong supporter and chief co-sponsor of the Illinois Grocery Initiative, today’s grant funding announcement brings new hope for our food desert communities, ensuring that access to affordable, healthy foods will be close to home.”

Director Kristin Richards of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) emphasized the importance of the New Stores in Food Deserts Program, saying, “Illinoisans deserve to have access to fresh, nutritious food, and this grant program will increase access while bolstering local economies and creating new jobs in historically underserved areas.”

Governor Pritzker highlighted the significance of the initiative in combating food insecurity, stating, “This is a first-of-its-kind state government investment — and it will have a significant impact on under-served rural towns and urban neighborhoods dealing firsthand with the struggles of food access.”

The $20 million effort includes two programs: the New Stores in Food Deserts Program and the Equipment Upgrades Program. The former offers grants ranging from $160,000 to $2.4 million with specific requirements for grocery locations, while the latter focuses on providing grants for energy-efficient equipment upgrades in grocery stores to prevent closures.

To apply for the grants, interested parties can visit the DCEO website and reach out for application assistance. Additionally, technical assistance webinars will be held on April 17 and April 23 to help applicants prepare for the funding process.