LOCAL FARM AND FOOD PRODUCTS

Amends the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act. Provides that it shall be the goal of this State that at least 20% of all food and food products purchased by State agencies and State-owned facilities shall be local farm or food products produced by socially disadvantaged farmers. Provides that the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council shall support and encourage that 10% of food and food products purchased by entities funded in part or in whole by State dollars shall be local farm or food products produced by socially disadvantaged farmers. Provides for a preference in the awarding of State contracts to socially disadvantaged farmers. Requires the Food, Farms, and Jobs Council to assist State agencies, State-owned facilities, and other entities with the purchase of local farm or food products produced by socially disadvantaged farmers and with the tracking and reporting of such purchases in order to meet specified goals. Requires the Council to facilitate and bolster access to more readily available healthy food options in areas considered to be a food desert, including support and expansion of programs utilizing local farm and food products to provide increased food options in such areas. Defines terms. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 595/10 30 ILCS 595/15 30 ILCS 595/25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that it shall be the goal of the State that at least 10% (rather than 20%) of all food and food products purchased by State agencies shall be local farm fresh produce or food products produced by socially disadvantaged farmers. Removes references to State-owned facilities and the Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Council with respect to procurement goals under the Act. Changes the defined term "local farm or food products" to "local farm fresh produce or food products". Specifies that "socially disadvantaged farmers" for purposes of the Act means such persons located in Illinois and includes persons who have been certified as a minority-owned business by the Business Enterprise Program. Provides that a State agency purchasing fresh produce may request any information necessary to determine whether a bidder will fulfill the contract through local farm fresh produce or food products. Makes conforming and other changes.