CHAMPAIGN, Ill., 4/8/25: The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is partnering with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC), both units of the University of Illinois, to offer free technical assistance to 10 small food-related businesses in DuPage and Kane counties. Businesses will benefit by lowering their operational costs and reducing wasted food and resources, thereby increasing their sustainability.

“Smaller businesses, such as restaurants, grocers, and food pantries, often don’t have the same opportunities for technical assistance as larger businesses,” said Zach Samaras, ISTC project manager. “With the smaller operations, we can make change happen quickly.”

The project will focus mainly on pollution prevention, energy efficiency, water and waste reduction, and alternatives to hazardous chemicals. Once the team has collected data, such as utility billing, and has conducted a walk-through tour, identifying cost and resource savings, they will offer strategies and help implement these ideas. The team will also connect businesses to incentives or funding opportunities from utilities or other organizations.

“Budgets are tight right now, and we want to make sure we can give them a wholistic view of their environmental foodprint and uncover opportunities for efficiency and cost savings,” Samaras said.

When reducing their environmental footprint, businesses will have a marketing edge, touting their business as sustainable to customers.

ISTC is now taking applications. Interested businesses can complete the short form online. Questions can be directed to Zach Samaras at zsamaras@illinois.edu. 

The project is supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Media contact: Zach Samaras, zsamaras@illinois.edu, 217-265-6723