Welcoming the Obama Presidential Center: A New Neighbor with a Shared Mission

Yesterday, we witnessed the historic grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center. As today marks its official opening day, we are excited to see how this new global center of hope, progress, and community will positively impact our neighborhood and city.

In addition to the museum, public gathering and performance spaces, fruit and vegetable garden, and new Chicago Public Library branch, the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) will bring a range of dynamic programming that reflects the mission and values of the 61st Street Farmers Market.

Since its launch in 2008, the work of the Market has closely aligned with the vision of President and Mrs. Obama to build healthy communities and strengthen relationships between farmers and customers.

In resonance with the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative (KYF), launched during the Obama Administration, and Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, our Market connects local farmers with an average of 2,600 community members each week. At our market, we provide local farmers with a space to sell their produce, and our community with access to fresh food, and a variety of fun and educational activities.

While we are excited for the Obama Presidential Center to bring change home, the 61st Street Farmers Market, a program of Experimental Station, is creating change at home in Woodlawn through food education programming for students at Carnegie Elementary School and residents of Jackson Park Terrace (JPT), an affordable housing community located directly across the street from the OPC.

As part of the words inscribed on the Obama Presidential Museum read, “...America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’...,” we share that belief. For nearly two decades, the 61st Street Farmers Market has worked to realize the vision of a thriving community on Chicago’s South Side through partnerships and collaboration with residents, organizations, and local farmers.

This historic moment gives us hope and inspires us to imagine new possibilities for our community. We welcome our new neighbor as we continue this vital work together.