FOOD WORKS

Programs

1. 1.Food Access: Our Food Access programs are striving to make it easier and more affordable for our community to fill up their plates with locally grown, nutritious food. We are breaking down barriers for that to happen, such as expense, the need for transportation, and access to fresh foods. According to 2023 data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, 15% of southern Illinois' population, over 100,000 people, are food insecure. In this area, we have the right climate to be growing produce year round, with the ability to feed ourselves and those around us. The Mobile Farmers Market and Rural Roots Rx Program reduce the transportation barrier by bringing a well-rounded selection of food into the counties that need it most, at an affordable cost. Link Hub helps facilitate $1 for $1 Link Match on fruits and veggies to help SNAP users stretch their food dollars further. The Winter Farmers Market bridges the gap during the colder months when fresh food options are limited.

   $80,658 spent$79,893 earned by the program
   17% of program spending

2. 2.SNAP & Link Match in Farmers Markets- This program expands equitable access to healthy, nutrient dense foods by supporting farmers markets to be able to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Link Match, a double coupon program for free fruits and vegetables. Food Works provides administrative set up and oversight of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at local farmers markets and double value assistance for low income community members who buy from farmer markets. In 2025 Food Works provided support services to be able to accept SNAP, including healthy eating incentives for 428 farmer markets at 11 market locations. Food Works counted 85,939 customers and 5,631 vendors which recorded 1,196 total SNAP transactions.

   $70,996 spent$23,570 earned by the program
   15% of program spending

3. 3. Southern Illinois Farming Alliance (SIFA)- Food Works sponsors this farmer-driven network whose focus is to encourage area farmers to learn from each other. The Alliance provides peer-to-peer education and networking opportunities by organizing Field Days and a Regional Conference. In 2025 SIFA held 5 field days and workshop events. 2025 began with our annual SIFA Conference, held on January 14 at The Pavilion in Marion, Illinois. This one-day event is dedicated to advancing sustainable farming by offering resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities for farmers, homesteaders, and local food supporters. Keynote speaker Liz Graznak of Happy Hollow Farm in Jamestown, Missouri, shared how her 16-acre diversified fruit, vegetable, and ornamental cut flower operation is adapting to the impacts of climate change. Six additional breakout sessions addressed topics ranging from organic pest control and strategies for finding farmland to insurance options and retirement planning for farmers. In 2025, two Pasture Walks offered behind-the-scenes tours of livestock farms that integrate multiple animal species into their grazing systems while improving soil and pasture health…

   $36,357 spent$41,217 earned by the program
   8% of program spending

4. Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings (SIFB)- Education program in entrepreneurial, regenerative small farm business that takes a holistic approach to farming and helps beginning farmers plan for resilient farms that can be nimble with the challenges of new business. Farm Beginnings(R), is an intensive training program for beginning and transitional farmers, which aims to create financially solvent and flourishing local farms through education and mentorship. Eight farms (11 participants) completed the program in 2025. They attended 24 sessions, where 29 farmers and expert speakers shared their insights with participants. Each received full scholarships to attend the program, plus stipends for evaluations, farm hosting, mentoring, speakers, and travel expenses.

   $48,632 spent$11,688 earned by the program
   10% of program spending

5. Mobile Farmers Market (MFM)-Food Works Mobile Farmers Market is a farmers market on wheels that connects food insecure communities with fresh, healthy foods produced by local farmers. This program improves healthy food access in rural towns and counties in Southern Illinois, especially for low income households. From June to October, our Mobile Farmers Market brings food from over 25 local farmers and producers to sell to customers in locations where fresh foods might not be plentiful. MFM made 188 total market stops at nine regular market locations in three counties. Partnerships and sponsorships are crucial in helping us offset some of the costs of the food for our shoppers, while still being able to pay the farmers their fair share. The MFM accepts SNAP and Link Match, and in 2025 continued a Healthy Food Prescription Rx program in conjunction with local healthcare providers and LEAF (Little Egypt Area Farmers). The MFM benefits local producers by providing access to additional markets while allowing them to remain focused on production on the farm. The Mobile Food Van provided free home delivery so transportation was not a barrier to the program.

   $225,289 spent$221,030 earned by the program
   49% of program spending

6. The Agrivoltaics Incubator Farm kicked off in October 2025 with a goal of producing fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers within the solar array. The Farm is located within the Eldorado Solar Project, a 270 megawatt solar farm in Eldorado, IL. This project will: demonstrate the viability of agrivoltaics in the region train beginning or transitioning farmers in sustainable growing practices, and produce food for consumption in Saline and surrounding counties.

   $2,410 spent$100,000 earned by the program
   1% of program spending

The 6 programs described on its FY2025 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $464,342.