Jacksonville, IL (WAND) – The FARMS of Illinois stands for Farmers Alliance for Regional Marketing and Sales. A group of local farmers formed the FARMS of Illinois to consolidate the processing and distribution element of local foods.

“We have the warehouse where we aggregate and bring together products from about 30 local farmers and food producers, and then we distribute out to institutions, restaurants and retailers throughout central Illinois and southern Illinois,” said Serena Basham, the sales and marketing manager for the FARMS of Illinois.

The group just opened a grocery store, giving it the option to sell the foods they produce directly to customers, instead of going through the larger distribution process. The new store has been very well-received by community members.

“Everyone has been really excited to have access to fresh local food in this area of Jacksonville that’s considered a food desert,” Basham said. “Most produce is harvested within 24 hours, before its arrival in the store. So everything is really, really, really fresh.”

The store carries a wide variety of items. Products include beef, pork, chicken, cheese and eggs. They also sell in-season produce, jams, rice, baking mixes and popcorn. Many items proudly display which nearby community they were made in.

Basham is especially excited that the store will soon be able to accept SNAP benefits, which will give people another option to purchase quality, local foods.

For more details on the FARMS of Illinois, visit its website.