During the final week of January, Midwest Foods participated in the 2026 From Food to Flowers: Everything Local Conference in Springfield, Illinois, a key event connecting producers, foodservice professionals, and local food advocates across the state. The week began with the Food is Medicine Summit, where the Midwest Foods team contributed to a panel discussion on farm-to-healthcare market opportunities. The panel explored how local food can be successfully integrated into hospital, senior living, and prescription produce programs, showcasing practical examples from Midwest Foods’ initiatives. Additional sessions addressed critical topics such as cancer nutrition, childhood obesity prevention, and the expansion of farm-to-food-bank programs, emphasizing the growing impact of local food systems on public health.
The conference also included the Illinois Food Systems Road Map dinner, a meet-the-buyer networking event, and ongoing discussions at the Midwest Foods exhibit booth. A highlight of the week was the launch of Curbside Consulting, where Midwest Foods offered 30-minute one-on-one consultations for farmers and small food businesses seeking tailored guidance on scaling local food production and navigating procurement opportunities.
The week concluded with an Institutional Buyer Panel, where Midwest Foods shared actionable insights on entering local procurement channels, understanding seasonal purchasing rhythms, and fostering successful partnerships between producers and foodservice buyers. Across panels, networking events, and consultations, the conference reinforced the vitality of Illinois’ local food ecosystem and Midwest Foods’ commitment to supporting both growers and chefs.
Participation in the 2026 From Food to Flowers conference provided a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration, highlighting the collaborative momentum of local food initiatives throughout the region.
Interested in more local food insights and updates? Become a customer to start receiving our monthly newsletter and stay informed about farm-to-food initiatives, seasonal produce, and industry trends.
This blog post was produced by the Midwest Foods editorial team, based on insights from Alex Frantz, Director of Local and Sustainability, featured in our Local Newsletter. Midwest Foods is dedicated to connecting chefs, institutional buyers, and local producers across Illinois.
Alex Frantz
Director of Local & Sustainability, Midwest Foods
Leads Midwest Foods’ local sourcing and sustainability programs, connecting farms with chefs and institutions to build a values-driven food system. She oversees supply chain development, food waste reduction, and responsible sourcing initiatives, and serves in leadership roles with Green City Market and multiple regional and national sustainability councils.
