Springfield, IL—As an estimated 360,000 Illinoisans face hunger because of Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Illinois small farmers are bracing for the loss of customers and business. Cuts to SNAP eliminated funding for programs like Link Match which allowed recipients to purchase from local food growers, with one food business in Central Illinois making $40,000 in SNAP/Link sales from shoppers in a year. Now with fewer consumers eligible for benefits, farmers—who are already struggling with Donald Trump’s tariffs and inflation—are losing income. With 75% of Illinois’ land dedicated to farming, family farms will continue to see the effects of federal SNAP cuts, with net farm incomes expected to decrease by $4.1 billion.
In response, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:
“Illinois is a national agricultural leader because of the hard work of our farmers, and instead of uplifting them, Republicans deliberately took money out of their wallets. Republicans were happy to slash food assistance to punish low-income families, even when that meant putting our economy at risk. Their “America First” talk is nothing more than a charade.”
Key excerpts from Capitol News Illinois: Federal cuts are hitting Illinois food assistance recipients — and the farmers who feed them
By Molly A Wallace
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“If fewer people are able to use SNAP benefits, these numbers will likely shrink, meaning less money will go to small Illinois farmers, many of whom already exist on slim profit margins.”
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“Meanwhile, increased production expenses and declining commodity prices have reduced the profitability of farming nationwide, with inflation-adjusted net farm incomes expected to decrease by $4.1 billion, or 2.6%, in 2026 from the year prior, despite record government payouts.”
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“In La Harpe, Ill., at Rockin’ D on the Ridge, Cassandra DeJaynes has raised cattle and sold beef with her husband since 2021…DeJaynes said that SNAP sales account for around 25% of the sales they make locally.”
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“‘The main place where a small Illinois-based farmer actually gets food to their customers is either at a farmer’s market or in a locally run grocer,’ Amyx said. ‘That dollar amount would be unimpressive if we walked into the legislature — like $40,000 a year. That might be easily shrugged off. But to that farmer, it’s about whether their operation exists or not.’”
