Link Up IL Boosted Food Access by $1 Million in 2022
Plus, this weekend's farmers market schedule and join the Star Farm Associate Board
Food Access: A Million Reasons to Thank Link Up
Link Up Illinois, a program run by Chicago nonprofit Experimental Station, works with retailers — farmers markets and participating grocery stores, corner stores and co-ops — to enable them to double the food assistance benefits provided under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as Link in Illinois.
Experimental Station shared its 2022 Increasing Food Access Report with Local Food Forum, and one statistic jumped off the page: Purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables with Link Match at Link Up Illinois locations totaled $1,002,358 in 2022 — more than double the total of $469,403 in 2021.
According to the report,
With increased federal funding, a three-year Healthy Local Food system pilot undertaken in partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, and partnerships with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events [which runs the Chicago City Markets], Link Up Illinois has been able to expand Link Match to more Illinois farmers markets and grocery retail and to increase benefits to our Link customers.
Of that million dollar total, two-thirds was spent at farmers market, farmstands, CSAs and food delivery services, with the rest spent at grocers, corner stores and co-ops. This split underscores the vital strategic partnership with the Illinois Farmers Market Association, which provides statewide outreach and statewide policy advocacy.
Experimental Station also cites Midwest Independent Retailers Association and CBS Community Partnership Division for providing key technical assistance and promotional support.
The organization provides support to Link beneficiaries close to home at its 61st Street Farmers Market, which opens its outdoor season Saturday (May 13) at 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. (see below).
Click the button below to access the full report.
This Weekend’s Regional Market Schedule
The Chicago area farmers market schedule for this weekend includes openings of two city mainstays: the 61st Street Farmers Market, located near University of Chicago in the South Side neighborhood of Woodlawn, and Logan Square Farmers Market on the North Side.
Saturday, May 13
Division Street City Market, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 100 W. Division St., Chicago
Downers Grove Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Main St. Train Station
Downtown Evanston Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., University Place and Oak Ave.
Grayslake Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 Center St.
Green City Market Lincoln Park, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Green City Market West Loop, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mary Bartelme Park, 115\ S. Sangamon St.
Kankakee Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., S. Schuyler Ave. & Merchant St.
Park Forest Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 152 Main St.
Palatine Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Palatine Train Station
61st Street Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard, Chicago
Woodstock Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Woodstock Square
Sunday, May 14
Frankfort Country Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Breidert Green & 1 N. White St.
Logan Square Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3107 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
95th Street Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1835 W. 95th St., Chicago
Wicker Park Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1425 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Star Farm Associate Board Wants You
Star Farm Chicago is a non-profit, founded and run by the dynamic Stephanie Dunn, that promotes food access in Chicago’s under-resourced Back of the Yards community and beyond through its urban farms, CSA, farmers market sales, landscaping service, a soon-to-open brick and mortar store, and more.
Now, Star Farm Chicago is recruiting members for its Associate Board, and invites those interested to a Board Mixer that will be held next Thursday (May 18) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Whiner Brewery. This craft brewery is located at 1400 W. 46th St. inside The Plant, a research and production facility comprising a collaborative community of small food businesses.
According to the organization,
Star Farm Chicago is starting an Associate Board! Come join staff and board members at Whiner Brewery to learn more about this exciting opportunity and how you can get involved with this nonprofit urban farm! Meet like-minded folks, grab a beer, and learn more about all the amazing work Star Farm does for the city of Chicago’s food system. This will be a very laid back event, come as you are!
This event does not require registration. Click below to learn more about Star Farm.
And Just a Very Polite Reminder…
Local Food Forum launched the Local Food Rules podcast yesterday. Episode 1 is beta and I’d welcome your constructive feedback. Plus, I reflexively check the page view metrics and watching them grow makes me very happy.
Click below to access the podcast.