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.

Giving Tuesday (Dec 3) is just around the corner. Join Experimental Station over the next few weeks as we take you on a journey of our impact and why your support matters.

Your contribution will help us address food insecurity, empower youth, and build community in Chicago’s south side and 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.

We are thrilled to share that Experimental Station’s Blackstone Bicycle Works program was featured yesterday on ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News! Reporter Leah Hope visited BBW at 6100 S Blackstone to interview two BBW Earn-A-Bike Summer Camp participants, siblings Leila and Nazareth, who shared their enthusiasm for the program.

Through Blackstone Bicycle Works (BBW)’s 2024 Earn-A-Bike summer camp, 39 youths aged 9-17 not only earned their bikes but also went home with the knowledge and spirit of true cyclists. While many participants came with some riding experience, five youths learned to ride a bike for the first time, overcoming their fears.

Through the work of our Link Up Illinois, 61st Street Farmers Market, and Link Access for Chicago Farmers Markets programs, Experimental Station already envisions the potential for an agricultural transition supported by rebuilding linkages between Illinois farmers and low-income Illinoisans seeking access to fresh and healthy foods. We invite you, in reading our 2023 outcomes on the following pages, to see why we are excited. We hope that you will be excited too! 

Our fall newsletter is an overview of our work empowering youth in Chicago's South Side, increasing fresh food access statewide, and supporting cultural practitioners and local business incubation in 2023.

Here are the dates for our [INDOOR] market for this winter.

Nov. 4, 11, 18 | Dec. 2, 9, 16 | Jan. 13 | Feb. 10 | Mar. 9 | Apr. 13

We will continue to offer our region's finest and our favorite farmers and products throughout the winter season!

LabE is a series of monthly cohort meetings addressing particular needs of disabled dance artists.

Limited capacity. Advanced registration is requested and appreciated.

Please click for details and to register.