FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM ACT Senate SponsorsSen. Linda Holmes, Karina Villa-Doris Turner, Cristina Castro, Julie A. Morrison, Napoleon Harris, III, Adriane Johnson, Robert F. Martwick, Michael W. Halpin, Javier L. Cervantes, Meg Loughran Cappel, Laura Ellman-Steve Stadelman, Paul Faraci, Laura M. Murphy, Christopher Belt, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Laura Fine, Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Mary Edly-Allen, Andrew S. Chesney, Rachel Ventura and Sara Feigenholtz 1/7/2025SenateSession Sine Die New ActCreates the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program Act. Establishes the Illinois Farm to Food Bank Program within the Department of Human Services to help expand the availability of nutritious, locally grown, raised, or processed foods for Illinois' emergency food system. Provides that the program shall (1) acquire and distribute agricultural products from Illinois agricultural entities or aggregators to Illinois' emergency food system, and (2) provide grants to improve capacity of the emergency food system to allow for the proper transportation, storage, or distribution of agricultural products to underserved areas. Provides that the program shall target fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy, and eggs produced in Illinois. Provides that foods shall be surplus, seconds, or market-grade quality levels and must be safe for consumption. Provides that the program is subject to appropriation and shall dedicate no less than 75% of available funds to acquisition and distribution of food. Requires the Secretary of the Department of Human Services to engage a not-for-profit entity from Illinois' emergency food system to administer the program. Requires the administering entity to have statewide reach and represent multiple food banks that source and distribute food to Illinois food pantries and soup kitchens under the same authorities and standards as the Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Department. Contains provisions concerning the duties of the administering entity. Creates the Farm to Food Bank Advisory Council to provide support to the program through facilitating relationship-building and partnerships between the Illinois agricultural sector and the emergency food system and other matters. Provides that the program may distribute food to those food banks with the infrastructure to accept, store, and distribute foods through the emergency food system and with the capacity to serve significant geographic areas within Illinois. Provides that the program shall distribute capacity-building grants for facility upgrades, equipment, or other investments necessary to support the objectives of the program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules. Effective immediately. 2/9/2023SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes 2/9/2023SenateFirst Reading 2/9/2023SenateReferred to Assignments 2/21/2023SenateAssigned to Agriculture 3/9/2023SenateDo Pass Agriculture; 012-000-000 3/9/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 10, 2023 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Napoleon Harris, III 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel 3/9/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Ellman 3/10/2023SenateSecond Reading 3/10/2023SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 21, 2023 3/10/2023SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman 3/10/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci 3/10/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy 3/10/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt 3/10/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton 3/14/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura Fine 3/17/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. 3/20/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen 3/22/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Andrew S. Chesney 3/22/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura 3/24/2023SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz 3/31/2023SenateRule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments 1/7/2025SenateSession Sine Die