Central Illinois Farmers Tackle Food Insecurity by Cultivating Crops and Funds

Share and Follow

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A coalition of organizations in Central Illinois is coming together to ensure that families in need have access to food through an initiative called “Farmers Feeding Families.”

The United Way of Champaign County, along with Parkland College and the Champaign School District, is collaborating to cultivate crops and secure funds to support those facing food insecurity.

United Way of Champaign County leases over 70 acres of arable land from the Champaign School District, and Parkland College is responsible for farming it.

Students enrolled in the Ag Technology Department are actively involved in planting and harvesting corn and soybeans, recognizing the real-world impact of their educational efforts. After the harvest, the crops are brought to a grain bin, with all profits directly benefiting community organizations dedicated to combating food insecurity.

Since 2014, Farmers Feeding Families has raised more than $250,000.

United Way of Champaign County’s President and CEO, Sue Grey, said that as the government shutdown continues, this is needed now more than ever.

“In light of the fact that we may have several thousand individuals here in Champaign County lose access to their SNAP benefits, programs like this are so essential, to know that there will be extra funding. Those who are currently running food pantries, the food bank itself, they’re going to have to get more food, so they can provide more to the people that need it,” Grey said.

She added that this is their way to help them have the funds they need to help people. Some groups they’ve helped through this program include Meals on Wheels, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, Peace Meal, and food pantries in school districts.