Governor Signs Two Local Food Bills

On Saturday July 17th on a steamy hot day at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market, Governor Quinn signed into law two important pieces of local food legislation that will help expand access to healthy fresh locally grown food for the most vulnerable members of our community. Amongst an enthusiastic crowd of people at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market, Governor Pat Quinn singed in to law SB 615 and HB 4756. HB 4756 the Farmers’ Market Technology Improvement act will expand the use of LINK card terminals at farmers markets across the state allowing those who receive food stamps to use their Illinois issued LINK cards to purchase fresh fruits, vegetable and meats at farmers markets across Illinois.  HB 4756 is a win-win for both consumers receiving food stamps and farmers vending at farmers’ markets in Illinois. SB 615 the Farm-to-school database program will create a database of schools looking to purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables and local farmers who can provide locally grown fruits in vegetables to schools. The database created by SB 615 will help to create relationship and facilitate purchasing between schools that want to buy fresh local food and the farmers who grow.