Bureau County residents are on Local and Organic Food/Farm task force

SPRINGFIELD — Three Bureau County residents were sworn in Wednesday as part of a new state task force which will create a comprehensive food production and distribution system to expand the availability of Illinois-grown produce.

Keith Bolin of rural Manlius, Dean Craine of AgriEnergy Resources in Princeton, and Allan Sexton of rural Sheffield are members of the Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force. The task force consists of 32 members and includes organic farmers, specialty crop producers, food processors and distributors, a consumer, a food retailer and representatives of the state departments of Agriculture, Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Human Services. Its charge is to make policy and funding recommendations for expanding and supporting a state local and organic food system and for identifying obstacles to an increase in locally-grown and organic food production.

“Our state is one of the nation’s leading producers of agricultural products, but imports more than 90 percent of its food,” Gov. Rod Blagojevich said. “If we could develop a system to satisfy consumers’ demand for organic and locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables and keep food sales in-state, we’d have a tremendous opportunity to improve the health of our diets and revitalize rural communities.”

Statistics show that food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it reaches Illinois consumers.

“Our challenge is to become more self-sufficient and to make Illinois produce more readily available, especially in inner-city neighborhoods where fresh fruits and vegetables often are in short supply,” Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said.

Task Force member Debbie Hillman of Evanston said committees were formed on Wednesday and future meeting dates were set. Wes Jarrell from the University of Illinois was elected chairperson, and Bridget Holcomb was elected secretary.

Hillman said one of the main topics of conversation is how much work this is going to be and how the task force will need to bring in all the expertise available.

“It is my hope to involve as many Illinois citizens as possible in thinking about our collective economy and our collective assets and opportunities, and in supporting every Illinois citizen who wants to be part of the Illinois food and farm system,” Hillman said.