Thousands of farm families work hard each day to put food on Illinoisans’ tables, gas in their cars and clothes on their backs. That’s why this month Illinois Farm Families (IFF) is teaming up with Casey’s for a special promotion recognizing the farm families supporting the state’s largest industry.

Casey’s pizzas through Oct. 31 will come with a flyer featuring 10 farm families representing a variety of Illinois family-owned row crop and livestock operations. The promotion, a continuation of IFF’s “We are the 96%” campaign to raise awareness that 96 percent of Illinois farms are family-owned, is available at all Casey’s locations in Illinois.

“Casey’s sells pizzas in nearly every county in Illinois, offering the opportunity to bring our message about family farm ownership to both urban and rural folks in Illinois. It’s a natural partnership with a natural fit, and we are so excited to celebrate,” said Jon Rosenstiel, chairman of IL Corn and a farmer from Pearl City.

Families appearing on Casey’s pizza flyers are the Noland family, of Blue Mound; the Casner family, Rosamond; the Dollinger family, Mazon; the Heap family, Minooka; the Gould family, Maple Park; the Kleinschmidt family, Armington; the Willard family, Griggsville; the Sanderson family, Clare; the Stitzel family, Shannon; and the Leman family, Eureka.

The partnership was funded in large part by the IL Corn checkoff, with additional support from Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Pork Producers Association. The program is presented by IFF, in which Illinois Soybean Association and Midwest Dairy are also partners.

In addition to the flyer promotion, IFF and Casey’s will take the family farmer message a step further and celebrate National Pizza Month with a pizza giveaway at five grain elevators across the state. At each elevator the group will give away 96 Casey’s pizzas to drive home the message that 96 percent of Illinois farms are family owned.

Farmers delivering to CHS in Maple Park, CGB in Enfield, Big River Energy in Galva, Gateway FS in Carlyle, and Premier Cooperative Inc in Sidney from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 9 will receive a free Casey’s pizza and a drink to commemorate the unique partnership.

Check out IFF’s Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout October to learn more about the Casey’s partnership and how to support Illinois’ family farms.

“Research findings tell us that people are more willing to trust family farmers to make the right decisions for their farm, their soil, and their water. This important message about family farm ownership is the key that unlocks a future where farmers and non-farmers in Illinois can have meaningful conversations about food that are built on a foundation of trust and mutual understanding,” said Lindsay Mitchell, Director of Communications for IL Corn and member of the IFF coalition.

About Illinois Farm Families

Illinois Farm Families (IFF) represents farmers of all commodities across the state of Illinois. IFF is committed to engaging in conversations with those curious about food, farmers, and farming, and sharing what really happens on the 96% of Illinois farms that are family-owned and operated. IFF is supported by farmer-led organizations, including Illinois Beef Association, IL Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program, and Midwest Dairy. For more information about Illinois Farm Families, please visit www.WatchUsGrow.org.