Record Breaking: 61st Street Farmers Market expands community’s food access
On September 9, the 61st Street Farmers Market marked the highest Link sales, Link transactions, and Link Match redemption in its 16-year history. That same month, the Market also saw record breaking attendance levels, with over 2,200 customers in one day.
Emily Cross, 61st Street Farmers Market Manager, said, “If you look at the numbers from when we started to now, it's just wonderful how many folks are utilizing Link and how many new people are learning about the Market.”
Given the Market’s mission to address the availability, accessibility, and affordability of fresh food in Woodlawn and surrounding neighborhoods, the higher number means more community members have access to locally grown, fresh, and healthful foods. More purchases also mean more sales for a diverse group of 31 local farmers and vendors at the Market.
Korbin Houston, a local resident in Woodlawn, shared the importance of shopping at the Market, “I'm supporting farmers and agricultural land that is becoming more and more necessary, but also more endangered.” For Korbin, coming to the Market is not just about making healthy food choices, but also about supporting a healthier local food system and being able to buy from the farmers directly.
The welcoming atmosphere, the friendliness of the vendors, the variety of fresh produce to choose from, and most of all, customers’ ability to have their Link purchases matched with funds to buy additional produce are key attributes of the 61st Street Farmers Market.
One Market customer, Joy Joshua, recently learned she could use Link and get her Link purchase matched when buying fresh produce. “It's helped us a lot.” As a caregiver to her mother, the ability to shop for fresh produce at the Market utilizing Link Match has been a game-changer.
“It is perfect,” Joy said.
What other Market customers are saying about us:
“I love coming to the Market. I love the location. I like that they offer so many different foods. It [Link and Link Match] helps so much because I'm able to get a few things like bread, fruits, and vegetables, which are the freshest in the city. I'm able to get double what I would not if I went to the grocery store.”
ASHLEY SIMMONS
from South Shore, a seven-year Market customer
“It [the Market’s location] is convenient. It's a very nice Market. Unlike other markets, this one has more to offer to me. I also get the mushrooms over here because they don't normally sell them at the grocery store. Being able to Link Match helps me be able to buy the mushrooms and still be able to get [other] vegetables.”
LAUREN MICHELL
from Woodlawn, a five-year Market customer
