About the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance

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Windy City Harvest operates the 20,000 square foot McCormick Place Rooftop Farm in Chicago

The Illinois Agri-Food Alliance (ILAFA) is an independent, multi-stakeholder collaborative network working to harness the strengths of Illinois’ food and agriculture sector. As a neutral third-party convener and connector, the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance is building a platform for non-partisan collaboration that convenes government, NGOs, and industry members. Via a collaborative network, ILAFA partners join forces to align strategic priorities, spark innovation, improve coordination, catalyze new collaborations, increase visibility, and build trust. In short, ILAFA is creating the enabling environment to ensure Illinois’ food and agriculture sector continues to be a driver of the state’s economy while addressing important environmental and societal challenges.

Our Mission

The mission of the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance is to position Illinois as the global leader in food and agriculture system innovation by convening and connecting stakeholders to catalyze and champion actions that will grow the economy, support community health, and sustain the environment.

Our Vision

A strong, inclusive, resilient agri-food system leading innovative, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges and generating a global model of success.

The 4-C’s of ILAFA

In its work as a systems change catalyst and platform for transformative collaboration, the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance serves as a neutral convener, connector, catalyst, and champion of Illinois’ food and agriculture sector:

  • We act as a CONVENER by assembling diverse actors and ‘unusual suspects’ for system-wide collaboration to address the six goals of the FARM Illinois roadmap.
  • We act as a CONNECTOR by fostering linkages between individuals, organizations, communities, and regions. 
  • We act as a CATALYZER by pooling insight, research, and resources to accelerate the creation and implementation of viable ideas, strategies, and programs. 
  • We act as a CHAMPION of Illinois’ agri-food system by disseminating information that creates understanding and appreciation of the importance of the sector and advocating for programs and strategies that will enhance cross-sector collaboration and systemic achievements.