FOOD WORKS

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

PO BOX 3855, CARBONDALE, IL 62902-3855

In care of

% JENNIFER PAULSON

Mailing address (990-N for 2011)

PO Box 3855, Carbondale IL 62902

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

Food Works Food Works, PO Box 3855, Carbondale, IL 62902

Principal officer (990-N for 2011)

Dayna Conner, PO Box 3855, Carbondale IL 62902

Signed the 990

Jennifer Paulson, Executive Director

Phone

(618) 370-3287

Website

eatsouthernillinois.org

Mission

Food Works is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a sustainable food economy in Southern Illinois. Through farmer training and consumer education, Food Works promotes long-term farming networks that create healthy soils, healthy food, and healthy communities in the 23 counties that make up Southern Illinois

Program accomplishments

• 1.Food Access: Our Food Access programs are striving to make it easier and more affordable for our community to fill up their plates with locally grown, nutritious food. We are breaking down barriers for that to happen, such as expense, the need for transportation, and access to fresh foods. According to 2023 data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, 15% of southern Illinois' population, over 100,000 people, are food insecure. In this area, we have the right climate to be growing produce year round, with the ability to feed ourselves and those around us. The Mobile Farmers Market and Rural Roots Rx Program reduce the transportation barrier by bringing a well-rounded selection of food into the counties that need it most, at an affordable cost. Link Hub helps facilitate $1 for $1 Link Match on fruits and veggies to help SNAP users stretch their food dollars further. The Winter Farmers Market bridges the gap during the colder months when fresh food options are limited.
  Expenses $80,658 · revenue $79,893
• 2.SNAP & Link Match in Farmers Markets- This program expands equitable access to healthy, nutrient dense foods by supporting farmers markets to be able to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Link Match, a double coupon program for free fruits and vegetables. Food Works provides administrative set up and oversight of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at local farmers markets and double value assistance for low income community members who buy from farmer markets. In 2025 Food Works provided support services to be able to accept SNAP, including healthy eating incentives for 428 farmer markets at 11 market locations. Food Works counted 85,939 customers and 5,631 vendors which recorded 1,196 total SNAP transactions.
  Expenses $70,996 · revenue $23,570
• 3. Southern Illinois Farming Alliance (SIFA)- Food Works sponsors this farmer-driven network whose focus is to encourage area farmers to learn from each other. The Alliance provides peer-to-peer education and networking opportunities by organizing Field Days and a Regional Conference. In 2025 SIFA held 5 field days and workshop events. 2025 began with our annual SIFA Conference, held on January 14 at The Pavilion in Marion, Illinois. This one-day event is dedicated to advancing sustainable farming by offering resources, expert insights, and networking opportunities for farmers, homesteaders, and local food supporters. Keynote speaker Liz Graznak of Happy Hollow Farm in Jamestown, Missouri, shared how her 16-acre diversified fruit, vegetable, and ornamental cut flower operation is adapting to the impacts of climate change. Six additional breakout sessions addressed topics ranging from organic pest control and strategies for finding farmland to insurance options and retirement planning for farmers. In 2025, two Pasture Walks offered behind-the-scenes tours of livestock farms that integrate multiple animal species into their grazing systems while improving soil and pasture health through rotational regenerative grazing practices. A hands-on Poultry Processing Workshop, held in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension Modern Homesteading Series, provided a rare opportunity to learn chicken butchery and best practices for on-farm processing and sales. In 2025, changes to the Illinois Meat and Poultry Inspection Act increased the number of birds farmers may process on-farm, opening new opportunities for farmer entrepreneurs. December's soil health workshop focused on designing whole-farm fertility systems using locally available inputs. Fertile Ground: Whole-Farm Fertility Systems Design & Management brought together soil scientists, practitioners, farm designers, and growers to explore both the science of soil fertility and practical insights from farmers actively building soil health on their operations. Each event included a shared meal featuring ingredients sourced from southern Illinois farmers, creating space to build community and strengthen camaraderie among participants. Partnerships played a critical role in sustaining our farmer-focused educational programming following the sudden loss of funding from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program early in the year. We extend our sincere thanks to the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, Illinois Farm Bureau, the University of Illinois Extension, the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, Glacier's End, and the Illinois Stewardship Alliance for their support. We are also grateful to Fresh Pasture Farms and The Flock Farm for generously opening their farms for educational programs. The Neighborhood Co-op Farm Crawl is an annual, weekend-long event where local farmers open their farms to the community. Participants have the opportunity to tour working farms, ask questions, and learn about the diversity of farming in our region. This year's crawl featured eight new farms, spanning from Anna to Marion, Illinois. Proceeds from the event benefit Food Works, and the 2025 Farm Crawl raised $3,407 in support of its mission.
  Expenses $36,357 · revenue $41,217
• Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings (SIFB)- Education program in entrepreneurial, regenerative small farm business that takes a holistic approach to farming and helps beginning farmers plan for resilient farms that can be nimble with the challenges of new business. Farm Beginnings(R), is an intensive training program for beginning and transitional farmers, which aims to create financially solvent and flourishing local farms through education and mentorship. Eight farms (11 participants) completed the program in 2025. They attended 24 sessions, where 29 farmers and expert speakers shared their insights with participants. Each received full scholarships to attend the program, plus stipends for evaluations, farm hosting, mentoring, speakers, and travel expenses.
  Expenses $48,632 · revenue $11,688
• Mobile Farmers Market (MFM)-Food Works Mobile Farmers Market is a farmers market on wheels that connects food insecure communities with fresh, healthy foods produced by local farmers. This program improves healthy food access in rural towns and counties in Southern Illinois, especially for low income households. From June to October, our Mobile Farmers Market brings food from over 25 local farmers and producers to sell to customers in locations where fresh foods might not be plentiful. MFM made 188 total market stops at nine regular market locations in three counties. Partnerships and sponsorships are crucial in helping us offset some of the costs of the food for our shoppers, while still being able to pay the farmers their fair share. The MFM accepts SNAP and Link Match, and in 2025 continued a Healthy Food Prescription Rx program in conjunction with local healthcare providers and LEAF (Little Egypt Area Farmers). The MFM benefits local producers by providing access to additional markets while allowing them to remain focused on production on the farm. The Mobile Food Van provided free home delivery so transportation was not a barrier to the program.
  Expenses $225,289 · revenue $221,030
• The Agrivoltaics Incubator Farm kicked off in October 2025 with a goal of producing fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers within the solar array. The Farm is located within the Eldorado Solar Project, a 270 megawatt solar farm in Eldorado, IL. This project will: demonstrate the viability of agrivoltaics in the region train beginning or transitioning farmers in sustainable growing practices, and produce food for consumption in Saline and surrounding counties.
  Expenses $2,410 · revenue $100,000

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

26-3662215

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2009

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Food, agriculture and nutrition (K30)

Assets (IRS master file)

$596,797

Income (IRS master file)

$484,456

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 26-3662215).

Questions about FOOD WORKS

What is the EIN of FOOD WORKS?

The employer identification number (EIN) of FOOD WORKS is 26-3662215.

Is FOOD WORKS tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2009.

Are donations to FOOD WORKS tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does FOOD WORKS file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of FOOD WORKS due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did FOOD WORKS last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.

Who is the principal officer of FOOD WORKS?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Food Works Food Works.

Who are the officers and directors of FOOD WORKS?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 34 people; 28 received compensation from the organization, the highest $57,751 (Jennifer Paulson, Executive Director).

How much revenue does FOOD WORKS have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $484,456, expenses of $544,619 and total assets of $596,797 at year end.

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