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Consultant previews 'Good Food for All' plan to strengthen Will County food system
Summary
A consultant told Will County board members he and the Will County Center for Economic Development plan asset mapping, financing and communications to build local food-system capacity and seek legislative support; he noted $800,000 in ARPA funds had been used for community food infrastructure and urged municipal collaboration.
Bob Hoyer, a consultant with HNA Networks Consulting, told the Will County Advisory Board that a new, county-centered initiative called "Good Food for All" will begin with asset mapping and move toward a regional financing plan and communications campaign to strengthen local food production and distribution. Hoyer said the project, developed with the Will County Center for Economic Development, is seeking grant and philanthropic support and will aim to reduce reliance on federal food supply chains in crises.
Hoyer said the project has three parts: an initial tri‑county asset map of producers, processors and food-recovery capacity; a food-system financing plan that would bring community banks, philanthropy and impact investors together with state financing authorities; and a communications program to amplify local innovations. "We are in the process of seeking some grant funds and, probably be wanting to come back soon with seeking letter support," Hoyer said. He also noted that the county previously approved about $800,000 in ARPA funding to four nonprofits to build community food infrastructure.
Board members asked about tapping local farms and markets. Hoyer said the planning work includes outreach to farms that already sell at local farmers markets and to organizations such as food pantries and community kitchens. He pointed to Riverwalk Food Pantry's plans for a new community kitchen and nutrition education as an example of local capacity the project intends to connect. Hoyer said the group is also talking with state legislative leaders and the Illinois House Agriculture Committee chair about possible state-level financing.
Hoyer encouraged municipalities to participate, saying local governments can help create demand and market channels for smaller producers. He told the board he will circulate an article and follow up with additional materials and asked to return to brief the board as the grant-seeking effort develops.
The board took no formal action on the initiative during the meeting; Hoyer was invited to return with more detail and possible requests for letters of support or partnership.
