What is Illinois Farm to School?

Illinois Farm to School (ILF2S) was formed in October 2009 in response to the recently passed Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act, as well as the growing demand for local and healthy foods.  ILF2S is comprised of over 20 organizations including state government agencies, not-for-profits, and school districts.  ILF2S connects schools (K-12) and local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias; improving student nutrition; providing agriculture; health and nutrition education opportunities; and supporting local and regional farmers.

www.farmtoschool.org/IL/

Did you know?

·         According to the latest obesity research, 60.7% of Illinois youth are overweight or obese.[1]

·         Of agricultural products produced in Illinois, only 0.15% is sold directly to consumers. [2]

·         Of the nearly $48 billion dollars spent on food by Illinois consumers, nearly all of it leaves the state.[3]

·         Illinois lags behind the national trend to establish farm-to-school programs in an effort to decrease obesity while simultaneously supporting the local economy. [4]

·         Most of our fruits and vegetables travel over 1500 miles to get to Illinois consumers.[5]

Want to volunteer?

If you would like to help Illinois Farm to School meets its goals, contact Julia Govis at ilfarmtoschool@gmail.com.

Want more information?

Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act (Public Act 095-0145)

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=095-0145

Local Food, Farm and Jobs: Growing the Illinois Economy:  A Report to the Illinois General Assembly (Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force - March 2009)

http://www.foodfarmsjobs.org/

Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force

http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/Mkt_ILOFFTaskForce.html

Feeding Ourselves: Strategies For A New Illinois Food System (Red Tomato Report)

http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/ILOFFTaskForce/RedTomato.pdf

Have Illinois Children Been Left Behind? Model Farm-to-School Programs Correlated with Illinois
by Josephine Lauer Washuk http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/ILOFFTaskForce/Farm%20to%20School%20Have%20IL%20Children%20Been%20Left%20Behind.pdf