Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), has announced the recipients of grants from the second round of the Community Growers Program. This initiative is a $2 million investment aimed at fostering urban agriculture and enhancing food equity in historically underserved communities by supporting local growers.

The program, developed alongside the City of Chicago Food Equity Council, seeks to provide urban growers with necessary resources to establish sustainable agricultural sites. Partnering with NeighborSpace, a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago, BACP aims to improve access to fresh produce while creating economic opportunities for community members.

Mayor Johnson expressed his support for the grant recipients, stating, "I am proud to congratulate this round of grant recipients and commend them for their dedication to uplifting our communities through urban agriculture." He emphasized that these efforts are part of his administration's commitment to increasing food access and building wealth across Chicago neighborhoods.

BACP Acting Commissioner Ivan Capifali highlighted the importance of such initiatives: “Ensuring food equity and supporting urban growers are vital in creating a healthy, sustainable city.” The awarded grants will aid small businesses in providing fresh food options to residents.

The six awardees for Round 2 include Earl's Garden Mae's Kitchen (EGMK) in Greater Grand Crossing, Eden Place Nature Center/Eden Place Farms in Fuller Park, Rooted in Transformation in Auburn Gresham, Sistas In The Village in West Englewood, Saint James Community Farm in Douglas, and The Generation Garden in Chatham.

Mecca Bey and Bweza Itaagi from Sistas In The Village shared their excitement about continuing their mission: “The Community Growers Grant Program will allow us to continue our mission of providing healthy, nutrient-rich produce for the Englewood community.”

NeighborSpace plays a crucial role by preserving gardens on behalf of community groups. They offer various forms of support such as property ownership assistance and education. Robin Cline from NeighborSpace stated: “The Community Growers Program is a powerful outcome and alignment of historical multi-organizational community food efforts.”

Previously, NeighborSpace supported 18 awardees during Round 1 by assisting new farms with land access and providing infrastructure support. To learn more about this initiative or apply for future rounds, visit Chicago.gov/CommunityGrowers.