For Obdulia Vega, the 61st Street Farmers Market is more than a place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. It brings back childhood memories of growing up on a farm, strengthens her relationship with her daughter, Jocelyn Vega, and encourages her to try new foods she might not have otherwise considered. Most of all, it has helped spark her dream of opening a restaurant.

The 2025 Increasing Food Access Report highlights a year of strong impact, deep partnerships, and continued innovation—expanding access to fresh, locally grown food while laying the foundation for a more resilient and equitable food system amid growing challenges ahead.

Have you ever tried Asian Pears? The varieties that Oriana's Orchard, a 61st Street Market stalwart, grows are special. Besides its fresh and delicious taste that you cannot get from any grocery store pears, there is the dedication and resilience of Oriana Kruszewski, the farmer and owner.

This year’s 2025 Newsletter highlights inspiring stories of food access, youth leadership, and community creativity—from a mother and son’s shared journey at Blackstone Bicycle Works, to a week with our 61st Street Farmers Market team, to Link Up Illinois’ statewide growth in multilingual outreach and fresh food access. And that’s just the beginning.

Meet Jana Kinsman of Bike a Bee — a longtime 61st Street Farmers Market vendor whose honey tells the story of Chicago’s neighborhoods. 🍯
Each jar is harvested from a specific area, giving every batch its own sense of place and flavor. From her first ten hives in 2012 to nearly 100 today, Jana’s journey is as rich and sweet as her honey. 💛
Catch her and her locally harvested honey every week at the Market!

What happens when 45 students from 22 South Side Chicago high schools spend two weeks of summer camp at Blackstone Bicycle Works? 

They are immersed in bikes, science, art, engineering, and exploration! Along with professional mentorship, field trips, and hands-on workshops, each participant earned their own bike, helmet, lock, and tools–plus a $200 stipend.

Celebrating National Farmers Market Week: Why Markets Matter Now More Than Ever

National Farmers Market Week (August 4–10) is a time to celebrate the 61st Street Farmers Market—and farmers markets across Illinois—for the vital role they play in our communities.

1. The power of local food nourishes communities and strengthens the local economy

2. An access point for healthy food with Link Match

3. Beyond dollars and data, farmers markets bring people together

The Englewood community on Chicago’s South Side has long faced a lack of full-service grocery stores, affordable produce, and safe spaces for families to gather. That began to change with the opening of Go Green Fresh Market and the launch of the Link Match program for SNAP recipients.

Grant Kessler is a Chicago-based food photographer and passionate local food advocate. He is currently supporting Experimental Station as a Project Manager to organize and coordinate the creation of an Illinois Food System Roadmap. We interviewed him to learn more.