Local Food, Farms & Jobs - Growing the Illinois Economy

Local Food, Farms, and Jobs:
A Strategy for Growing Illinois’ Economy

HB3990

• Passed the Illinois General Assembly May 30, 2009. Signed by Gov. Quinn August 13, 2009.

• Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force exists until Dec. 13, 2009

• Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council will be appointed following Gov. Quinn's new open protocols for appointment to state boards and commissions.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs, economic opportunity, and revitalize our rural and urban communities by Illinois farmers growing the products we purchase.

• Many of our urban, suburban, and rural communities lack nearby access to fresh, healthy foods

• Implements an economic development strategy to enrich Illinois families, businesses, rural and urban communities, and the state’s treasury. (see Task Force report -- link below)

• Creates economic development by uniting our abundant resources: rich farmland, a temperate climate, a rich farming heritage, and a large, diverse customer population.

• Supplements long-term public health strategies designed to curb childhood diabetes and obesity.

• Ensures our preparedness in the event of a natural or humanly created emergency.

• Direct state agencies to align their missions in support of this economic development, public health, and emergency preparedness strategy.

• Facilitate state institutions to source at least 20% of their food locally by 2020.

• Assemble a team that harmonizes and streamlines rules and regulations affecting local food production, processing, and marketing.

• Create an Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council to coordinate the development of community-based farm and food networks statewide.

Envision your community's local farm and food economy

Build relationships within your community

Talk to and work with elected officials

If you're a consumer, talk to your farmer

If you're a farmer, talk to the customer

Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force (attend monthly meetings)

Contact

Coordinators, Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force



		Talking Points Local Food, Farms, and Jobs: A Strategy for Growing Illinois’ Economy *HB3990* • Introduced by State Rep. Julie Hamos (Evanston) • Senate Sponsor: Sen. Jacqueline Collins (Chicago) • Passed the Illinois General Assembly May 30, 2009. Signed by Gov. Quinn August 13, 2009. • Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force exists until Dec. 13, 2009 • Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council will be appointed following Gov. Quinn's new open protocols for appointment to state boards and commissions. *Why Now?* We have an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs, economic opportunity, and revitalize our rural and urban communities by Illinois farmers growing the products we purchase. • 95% of the food we eat is imported from outside the borders of Illinois • The majority of the $48 billion we spend annually for food is exported • Illinois has the soils and agricultural heritage to grow what we purchase • Illinois’ 12.8 million people increasingly want Illinois-grown products • Many of our urban, suburban, and rural communities lack nearby access to fresh, healthy foods *What does The Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act do?* The Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2009: • Implements an economic development strategy to enrich Illinois families, businesses, rural and urban communities, and the state’s treasury. (see Task Force report -- link below) • Creates economic development by uniting our abundant resources: rich farmland, a temperate climate, a rich farming heritage, and a large, diverse customer population. • Supplements long-term public health strategies designed to curb childhood diabetes and obesity. • Ensures our preparedness in the event of a natural or humanly created emergency. • Releases the entrepreneurial spirit of every Illinois citizen *How will these goals be accomplished?* • Direct state agencies to align their missions in support of this economic development, public health, and emergency preparedness strategy. • Facilitate state institutions to source at least 20% of their food locally by 2020. • Assemble a team that harmonizes and streamlines rules and regulations affecting local food production, processing, and marketing. • Create an Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council to coordinate the development of community-based farm and food networks statewide. *Getting connected...* Read the report written by Illinois Local & Organic Food & Farm Task Force Local Food, Farms and Jobs: Growing the Illinois Economy www.foodfarmsjobs.org • Begin building your local farm and food networks Envision your community's local farm and food economy Build relationships within your community Talk to and work with elected officials If you're a consumer, talk to your farmer If you're a farmer, talk to the customer • Connect to other Illinois local farm and food networks Illinois Local Food and Farms Coalition Yahoo group and list-serv Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force (attend monthly meetings) Nominate yourself for the Illinois Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council Contact Coordinators, Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force Debbie Hillman (Evanston) 847-328-7175 DLHillman@sbcglobal.net Jim Braun (Springfield) 515-229-2679