Public Act 90-0153 of the 90th General Assembly
Public Act 90-0153
HB0604 Enrolled LRB9001783MWpc
AN ACT concerning community food gardens.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Community Food Garden Act.
Section 5. Illinois Community Nutrition Task Force;
pilot program.
(a) The Illinois Community Nutrition Task Force is
established to develop, implement, and evaluate a 2-year
community food garden pilot program using underutilized State
land or other appropriate property in at least 2 Illinois
communities.
(b) The Task Force shall report the results of its
evaluations to the General Assembly.
Section 10. Composition of the Task Force. The Task
Force shall be composed of:
(a) Representatives of each of the following agencies
appointed by the Governor:
(1) the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
(2) the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
(3) the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
(4) the Interagency Nutrition Council.
(5) the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
(6) the Illinois Community Action Association.
(7) the Illinois Association of Senior Centers.
(b) 3 representatives of nonprofit organizations that
work in low-income communities or with Illinois farmers on
projects to increase food security, one of whom shall be
appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by
the Director of the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service,
and one of whom shall be appointed by the Director of Central
Management Services.
Section 15. Identification of suitable underutilized
property. The Task Force shall make recommendations to the
Department of Central Management Services concerning
underutilized State property that is suitable for the
establishment of community food gardens.
Section 20. Establishment of community food gardens.
(a) The Task Force shall select suitable State property
identified by the Department of Central Management Services
or other appropriate property in at least 2 communities for
the establishment of pilot program community food gardens.
(b) Each agency on the Task Force shall provide
resources, information, and staff support for the
establishment of community food gardens.
(c) Agencies that are members of the Task Force shall:
(1) identify community groups, non-profit
organizations, local government agencies, and persons in
communities near the gardens that will be helpful in
implementing the program;
(2) work with community groups to develop a
community food garden plan and to identify the resources
necessary to implement the plan;
(3) teach youth and adults in communities near the
gardens the basics of gardening for food, nutrition, and
how that knowledge benefits their health and economic
security; and
(4) use recipients under the Pubic Aid Code who are
required to volunteer for 20 hours under welfare reform.
Section 25. Food grown in gardens. Food grown in a
community food garden may not be sold for individual profit
but may be:
(a) sold at or below cost, as appropriate, to local
low-income families;
(b) donated to local families at risk for hunger;
(c) sold to the general public with the proceeds of the
sales used to benefit the continued operation of the gardens;
or
(d) donated to local food pantries, homeless shelters,
or food banks.
Section 30. Transactions related to land. On behalf of
the Task Force, the State, and any affected State agency, the
Department of Central Management Services may, if necessary,
execute leases and contracts or enter into other transactions
related to land to accomplish the purposes of this Act. The
term of a contract, lease, or other transaction executed
under this Act may not extend past September 1, 1999.
Section 35. Repeal. This Act is repealed on September
1, 1999.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.