State of Illinois
90th General Assembly
Legislation

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[ Introduced ][ Engrossed ][ House Amendment 001 ]
[ Senate Amendment 001 ]

90_HB0604enr

          New Act
          Creates the Community Food Garden Act.   Establishes  the
      Illinois  Community  Nutrition Task Force.  Provides that the
      Task Force shall establish community food gardens in at least
      2 Illinois communities.   Provides  that  the  Department  of
      Central  Management  Services  shall  identify State property
      suitable for the establishment  of  community  food  gardens.
      Establishes  the  duties of the Task Force.  Provides for the
      use of food grown in community gardens.   Provides  that  the
      Department  of Central Management Services may execute leases
      and contracts and enter into other transactions necessary  to
      accomplish the purposes of this Act.  Effective immediately.
                                                     LRB9001783MWpc
HB0604 Enrolled                                LRB9001783MWpc
 1        AN ACT concerning community food gardens.
 2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
 3    represented in the General Assembly:
 4        Section 1.  Short title.  This Act may be  cited  as  the
 5    Community Food Garden Act.
 6        Section  5.  Illinois  Community  Nutrition  Task  Force;
 7    pilot program.
 8        (a)  The  Illinois  Community  Nutrition  Task  Force  is
 9    established  to  develop,  implement,  and  evaluate a 2-year
10    community food garden pilot program using underutilized State
11    land or other appropriate property in  at  least  2  Illinois
12    communities.
13        (b)  The  Task  Force  shall  report  the  results of its
14    evaluations to the General Assembly.
15        Section 10.  Composition of  the  Task  Force.  The  Task
16    Force shall be composed of:
17        (a)  Representatives  of  each  of the following agencies
18    appointed by the Governor:
19             (1)  the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
20             (2)  the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
21             (3)  the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
22             (4)  the Interagency Nutrition Council.
23             (5)  the Illinois Stewardship Alliance.
24             (6)  the Illinois Community Action Association.
25             (7)  the Illinois Association of Senior Centers.
26        (b)  3 representatives of  nonprofit  organizations  that
27    work  in  low-income  communities or with Illinois farmers on
28    projects to increase food security,  one  of  whom  shall  be
29    appointed  by the Governor, one of whom shall be appointed by
30    the Director of the Illinois Cooperative  Extension  Service,
HB0604 Enrolled            -2-                 LRB9001783MWpc
 1    and one of whom shall be appointed by the Director of Central
 2    Management Services.
 3        Section  15.  Identification  of  suitable  underutilized
 4    property.   The  Task Force shall make recommendations to the
 5    Department  of   Central   Management   Services   concerning
 6    underutilized   State  property  that  is  suitable  for  the
 7    establishment of community food gardens.
 8        Section 20.  Establishment of community food gardens.
 9        (a)  The Task Force shall select suitable State  property
10    identified  by  the Department of Central Management Services
11    or other appropriate property in at least 2  communities  for
12    the establishment of pilot program community food gardens.
13        (b)  Each   agency   on  the  Task  Force  shall  provide
14    resources,   information,   and   staff   support   for   the
15    establishment of community food gardens.
16        (c)  Agencies that are members of the Task Force shall:
17             (1)  identify    community    groups,     non-profit
18        organizations,  local government agencies, and persons in
19        communities near the gardens  that  will  be  helpful  in
20        implementing the program;
21             (2)  work   with   community  groups  to  develop  a
22        community food garden plan and to identify the  resources
23        necessary to implement the plan;
24             (3)  teach  youth and adults in communities near the
25        gardens the basics of gardening for food, nutrition,  and
26        how  that  knowledge  benefits  their health and economic
27        security; and
28             (4)  use recipients under the Pubic Aid Code who are
29        required to volunteer for 20 hours under welfare reform.
30        Section 25.  Food grown  in  gardens.  Food  grown  in  a
31    community  food  garden may not be sold for individual profit
HB0604 Enrolled            -3-                 LRB9001783MWpc
 1    but may be:
 2        (a)  sold at or below  cost,  as  appropriate,  to  local
 3    low-income families;
 4        (b)  donated to local families at risk for hunger;
 5        (c)  sold  to the general public with the proceeds of the
 6    sales used to benefit the continued operation of the gardens;
 7    or
 8        (d)  donated to local food pantries,  homeless  shelters,
 9    or food banks.
10        Section  30.  Transactions related to land.  On behalf of
11    the Task Force, the State, and any affected State agency, the
12    Department of Central Management Services may, if  necessary,
13    execute leases and contracts or enter into other transactions
14    related  to land to accomplish the purposes of this Act.  The
15    term of a contract,  lease,  or  other  transaction  executed
16    under this Act may not extend past September 1, 1999.
17        Section  35.  Repeal.   This Act is repealed on September
18    1, 1999.
19        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
20    becoming law.

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