Two locally connected farm-to-table operations are among the recipients of Illinois Department of Agriculture Local Food Infrastructure grants aimed at expanding access to locally grown food across the state.
The Farms of Illinois LLC in Jacksonville received a grant of $41,766.55, while The Witty Farmer LLC, operated by Jenny Sauer-Schmidgall, received a combined $83,781.99 for its Scott, Pike and Greene County operations.
The grants are part of nearly $4 million in state funding to help farms, food businesses and community partners improve their ability to store, process, package and distribute Illinois-grown products.
The Farms of Illinois, owned by the Bland family of Jacksonville, opened its first retail storefront at 1203 West Walnut Street on May 15. The business specializes in connecting consumers with locally raised meats and other Illinois-produced products.
The Witty Farmer has continued a rapid expansion since opening its self-serve Grab N Grow Greenhouse in Riggston in 2022. The business recently announced construction of a larger flagship store with a commercial kitchen that will also serve as a shared production space for local food makers.
In recent months, the company has announced new locations in Pittsfield, Carrollton and New Berlin, with the New Berlin store scheduled to open August 8.
Illinois officials say another $2 million has been approved for the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program in the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget.