Illinois farmers markets don’t stop with summer! Thanks to storage and indoor growing, fresh produce—greens, mushrooms, root veggies, apples, and more—remains available at winter markets.

Batavia Indoor Market, one of 30 Link Match partners, helps make healthy food accessible for SNAP recipients year-round. The market operates every Saturday, featuring around 20 vendors. Most vendors offer SNAP-eligible items, with five offering Link Match-eligible items.

Less than 5% of the food we eat in Illinois is grown here—95% is imported. This means missed opportunities to support local farmers and access fresh, nutritious food.

That's why Experimental Station launched the Illinois Food System Taskforce to develop a 10-year statewide food system roadmap with input from stakeholders across Illinois.

This fall, Experimental Station celebrates its impactful programs fostering community connections and growth. Blackstone Bicycle Works engaged Woodlawn youth through bike mechanics and career counseling, while the 61st Street Farmers Market deepened ties with Jackson Park Terrace residents, promoting healthy food choices and community engagement. Link Up Illinois enhanced access to fresh, local produce through the statewide Link Match program.