City Markets Taking Root

Experimental Station has played a crucial role in the City’s farmers market program, providing SNAP and Link Match service for as many as 22 City-run markets each year. This service is fundamental to making farmers markets accessible to low-income Chicagoans. What began as a short-term project grew into a 15-year commitment to support markets in neighborhoods with limited food access.

In 2024, after years of providing SNAP support and cultivating relationships with local partners, Experimental Station is excited to see a number of these markets taking root in their communities. This year, for the first time, local community-based organizations are themselves providing SNAP service at the Austin, Bronzeville, Little Village, and Pullman markets, with Experimental Station providing training, technical assistance, and back-end administration.

Experimental Station will work further with these neighborhood partners to enable them to operate their market’s SNAP program independently in future years. This shift aligns with our long-held belief that local organizations are the best stewards of their markets, fostering growth that is deeply rooted in the community.