The Illinois Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program is designed to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain and provide enhanced market opportunities for small and mid-sized farms and food businesses. By supporting the development of processing, storage, aggregation, and distribution capacities, the program seeks to increase the availability of locally and regionally produced foods. It aims to promote the creation of value-added products, enhance sustainability, ensure fair prices and wages, and provide safe job opportunities. This initiative is intended to address gaps in the food supply chain while prioritizing historically underserved populations.

Projects funded under the RFSI program should focus on the middle stages of the food supply chain, particularly processing and aggregation/distribution. Activities may include expanding processing capacities, modernizing equipment or facilities, increasing storage space (e.g., cold storage), and improving packaging and labeling capabilities. Other eligible projects could involve on-farm post-harvest processing, creating cooperatives, or acquiring sustainable energy systems. Projects must align with the program’s mission of fostering collaboration, operational efficiency, and market expansion for agricultural producers and processors in Illinois.