Governor Quinn signs laws promoting local food

At the state's longest-running farmers market today, Gov. Pat Quinn authorized legislation aimed at making it easier for schools and low-income consumers to obtain locally-grown food.

The Farm-to-School database will create an electronic database on the state Department of Agriculture Web site that allows schools and local farmers to connect on the purchase of fresh produce. The Farmers' Market Technology Improvement Act makes it easier for sellers at the markets to accept Link cards, state-issued debit cards for food stamp recipients.

"These are two bills that are going to help us eat better and help our farmers who produce quality food nearby, from Illinois, get access to important markets," Quinn said at the Oak Park Farmers' Market, which started more than 30 years ago. Illinois has about 283 farmers markets across the state, Quinn said.
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The Farm-to-School database goes into effect Jan. 1. The Link card law takes effect immediately.

The Illinois Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council will work with the Department of Agriculture to create the database.

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Illinois has 28 million acres of the world's most fertile, productive farmland and yet imports 95 percent of its food, Braun said. If the state could create "an infrastructure of Illinois-based process, distribution and storage," the state could add billions to the state economy, he added.

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--Ted Gregory

Mhays wrote:I meant that I think the reporter got the name of the person from the Food, Farms, and Jobs Council incorrect.