Plant Chicago NFP

Plant Chicago strengthens two of the most vulnerable links in the food supply chain: small growers and low-income families. We are committed to helping low-income families access local, sustainably produced food while ensuring that small farmers can meet revenue goals. Small growers often can’t afford to be cost-competitive with industrial food producers. In order to close the pricing gap and make nutrient-rich food accessible, local governments and organizations offer a variety of discount programs, or "healthy food incentives," to historically oppressed and marginalized populations. Our farmers market and on-site retail space, The Firehouse Market, feature produce from growers on the Southwest Side and we provide incentives including senior coupons, sliding scale pricing, and Link matching. Link is Illinois’ program for distributing SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps). Through Link Up Illinois, (a program of Experimental Station) Plant Chicago can double the value of each Link dollar spent on produce, so cardholders get twice as much fresh fruits and vegetables for the same cost.