Rockford aims to combat food deserts with the help of local farmers

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford is developing a framework to reduce food insecurity, and officials are turning to local non-profit organizations and farmers for help.

Rockford’s Planning and Development Committee approved the framework during Monday night’s meeting. The agenda item said the idea is to designate money and improve access to “healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.”

City Administrator Todd Cagnoni said the aldermen pushed for this in the western part of the city, claiming some areas are considered “food deserts.”

“If you don’t have affordable, healthy food options, it could drive additional chronic diseases, individually or as a community,” Cagnoni said.

Farmers like Martin Quirk have lived a sustainable life for many years. The Rockton man has his own homestead, where he raises animals and plants a garden.

“The idea is to raise your own food and to really know where your food comes from and how it’s raised and the origins of it,” Quirk said.

The farmer expressed excitement with the city’s new framework and said he thinks the lifestyle is beneficial.

“I’m much healthier, and my children grow up in a natural environment,” he said. “They appreciate nature more. There’s a peace of mind that comes with it, too.”

Quirk said that after 26 years of living in Winnebago County, he sees the need for more options to access food.

“I think having access to fresh, healthy food is an issue in many urban areas, including ours,” he said.

Quirk said if allowed to work alongside city officials to move the framework in the right direction, he would.

“It contributes to the environment,” Quirk explained. “It would help get us back to a situation where people have access, local access, to food and other resources.”

City Council will vote on the framework Monday, June 30th. Cagnoni said it would be something officials look at and adjust annually.