The growth in the number of farmers markets in under-served urban neighborhoods and in rural towns across the state of Illinois has provided a welcome and low-overhead means of making healthier food choices available. Illinois currently has over 300 farmers markets, with more being established each year. Yet creating farmers markets to solve the access issue has revealed that food access is a multi-dimensional problem that will not be resolved by simply adding yet another farmers market.

Recent statistics indicate that 1 of 6 Illinoisans receives Link benefits - over 1.9 million people of all ages and races. For many low-income Illinoisans, the only foods available to them are those that may be purchased with their Link card. In order for farmers markets to be accessible to them, the markets must have Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems in place that allow customers to use their Link cards at the market. Unfortunately, even with Link, the often higher prices of fresh, nutritious, and locally produced foods sold at farmers markets can make these foods unaffordable for low-income customers. That’s how Link Match makes a difference!

In 2009, the Experimental Station launched Illinois' first Link Match program at its 61st Street Farmers Market. Link Match doubles the value of Link purchases at farmers markets by providing matching currency redeemable at the market for fresh local fruits and vegetables. Combined with targeted outreach efforts, these programs have dramatically increased Link purchases at farmers markets, which nearly vanished when “food stamps” shifted from physical stamps to electronic bank cards.

Link Match - Beyond the Farmers Market: Illinois families access fresh fruits and vegetables in many ways and at many places. Therefore, over the past decade, Link Up Illinois has expanded funding to establish Link Match programs at food co-ops, mobile markets, fresh food delivery services, and neighborhood corner stores. In 2021, we introduced Link Match to CSA’s and independent grocery stores.

From farmers markets to corner stores, Link Up Illinois ensures more Illinois families are able to access and afford the freshest fruits and vegetables grown in Illinois.