More than 1.9 million Illinois residents do not have regular access to nutritious food, according to the advocacy organization Feeding Illinois. One in five Illinois residents experiences hunger weekly. More than 270,000 Illinoisans live in food deserts. These numbers have worsened due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to healthy food has a major impact on the overall health and development of young people. Through our grants and programs, Illinois 4-H helps youth to solve real-world problems in their neighborhoods and communities.


