CCFB News» April 2026

Together with various partners, Cook County Farm Bureau® donated much needed food staples to two Cook County food pantries. Donations were raised in celebration of Food Checkout Day. Food Checkout Day celebrates the healthy and nutritious food local farmers grow and raise by providing food or cash donations to people in need.

 

Nearly $7,000 was donated to local Cook County pantries in celebration of Food Checkout Day this year and the healthy and nutritious food grown and raised by local farmers. The donations directly benefited the one in seven individuals in Cook County who are hungry.

 

In addition to traditional food donations, Cook County Farm Bureau’s Young Leader Committee hosted their annual hygiene product drive. Members and leaders donated personal care items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, and lotion.

 

Partner food pantries, Respond Now of Chicago Heights and Northfield Township Food Pantry of Glenview received non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products as part of Food Checkout Day 2026.

 

“Cook County and Illinois farmers are deeply committed to producing safe, wholesome food for our neighbors and beyond,” said Janet McCabe, President of Cook County Farm Bureau. “Through Food Checkout Day, we recognize the importance of access to nutritious food and reaffirm our support for families navigating rising food prices.”

 

For 20 years, Cook County Farm Bureau partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Through the generosity of partners for nearly two decades, Farm Bureau donated over $150,000 and nearly 100,000 pounds of food.

 

In 2012, and again in 2021, Farm Bureau’s food pantry efforts were named a Summit Award winner by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The Summit Award recognizes the positive impact that non-profit associations have on their community.

 

Thank you to the following individuals who financially supported this program:

Jim Andresen, COUNTRY Financial

Bernacki Family

Laura Elkins, COUNTRY Financial

Bona Heinsohn

Margaret Jura, COUNTRY Financial

Karen Kavalas

Blake Lanphier

Janet McCabe

Sharon Stemke, COUNTRY Financial

Janet Lence

Bob and Jayne Rohrer

Erin Sonntag

Robin Scheldberg

Doug Yunker

Larry & Sharon Barr

Debra Voltz

 

Thank you to all the members, supporters, and COUNTRY Financial representatives who donated non-perishable food and hygiene items.

 

Food Checkout Day is possible only through the efforts of volunteers, including Farm Bureau leadership and committee members and COUNTRY Financial representatives and staff members. Volunteers were integral to the success of the shopping spree portion of Food Checkout Day.

 

Volunteers

Jim Andresen, COUNTRY Financial Orland Park Agency

Rebecca Biernacki

Bryan Blau

Sharon Blau

Laura Elkins, COUNTRY Financial Orland Park Agency

Bona Heinsohn

Blake Lanphier

Janet McCabe

Amanda McManus, COUNTRY Financial Orland Park Agency

Karen Peditto

Mike Rauch

Sharon Stemke, COUNTRY Financial Orland Park Agency

Mark Yunker

Ruth Zeldenrust

Lisa Zielinski, COUNTRY Financial Orland Park Agency

 

As the county’s largest general farm organization, Cook County Farm Bureau® is dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and urban consumers. Through education programs targeting youth and their parents and programs designed to connect farmers with potential consumers, Farm Bureau members are actively engaging in conversations about food and the shared values between farmers and consumers.