Not wanting to let our entrepreneurial spirit flag, the Experimental Station decided to team up with Chicago's Mayor's Office of Special Events, Department of Community Development and Department of Family and Support Services to launch a LINK/EBT Pilot program at 5 City of Chicago farmers markets for the 2010 season! As of May 13 at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market, Experimental Station will be on site accepting LINK payments for fresh, nutritious, local food.

Here are the highlights:

• Experimental Station has been awarded a grant from Chicago's Department of Community Development to cover the costs of the program for 2010.
• The markets include Lincoln Square, South Shore Bank, Daley Plaza, Division Street and Beverly.
• The Mayor's Office of Special Events and Department of Family and Support Services will be key in getting the word out to families on LINK, and securing funding for 2011 and 2012.

We are very happy to be able to provide this service to the City and to help other folks, who would not otherwise be able to shop at these farmers markets, to connect with their food—just as our customers do at the 61st Street Farmers Market. Programs like this go to show that it not only takes a village to raise a child, sometimes it takes a village to help a city get the job done. Don't forget that the 61st Street Farmers Market opens May 15 at 9am. We look forward to seeing you there!