summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall conduct an access to nutritious food program to establish and operate projects and strategies within food deserts that focus on: (1) distribution of fresh and nutritious food; and (2) education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall promote the sharing of information concerning best practices and programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Provides that the Department shall convene an annual meeting of nonprofit organizations and other interested parties to share best practices and information on programs, including specified projects, that have proven to be effective in improving distribution of fresh and nutritious food and education in food preparation and nutrition. Defines "food desert" and "program".
AI Summary
This bill establishes an "Access to Nutritious Food Program" within the Illinois Department of Agriculture, aimed at addressing "food deserts," which are defined as underserved areas where obtaining fresh and nutritious foods is difficult, specifically including rural towns or urban neighborhoods with high poverty rates or low median incomes, or areas where residents live more than a mile (or ten miles in nonmetropolitan areas) from a supermarket or large grocery store. The program will fund projects and strategies within these food deserts to improve the distribution of fresh, healthy food and provide education on food preparation and nutrition. Additionally, the Department will promote the sharing of successful practices and programs through an annual meeting of relevant organizations and stakeholders.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to Agriculture (on 02/03/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...