Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces the Community Growers Program Round 2 Grant Awardees
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) have announced the recipients of the second round of the city's Community Growers Program. This program, developed in partnership with the City of Chicago Food Equity Council, aims to increase food equity in communities that have been historically disinvested by supporting local growers in developing urban agriculture sites.

With a $2 million investment, BACP and program partner NeighborSpace are providing resources and technical assistance to urban growers to build sustainable agricultural sites. This support for urban agriculture not only increases access to fresh produce for residents in communities with limited food options but also creates opportunities for growers to build wealth.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his pride in congratulating this round of grant recipients and commended them for their dedication to uplifting their communities through urban agriculture. He stated that these grants are an investment in the health and wellness of residents and bring Chicago closer to becoming a more equitable and vibrant city. The mayor's administration is committed to further increasing food access and building wealth across all communities.

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Acting Commissioner Ivan Capifali of BACP emphasized the importance of ensuring food equity and supporting urban growers in creating a healthy and sustainable city. He stated that the Community Growers Program provides small businesses with the necessary resources to support Chicago's communities with access to fresh food.

The six awardees for Round 2 of the Community Growers Program are 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, Co-Owners of Sistas In The Village, expressed their excitement about receiving this grant. They stated that it will allow them to continue their mission of providing healthy and nutrient-rich produce for the Englewood community. Through food, Sistas In The Village cultivates vibrant communities that center the African Diaspora. The grant will also help them add key pieces of infrastructure to their farm, including secured fencing, solar energy, and space for processing and storing produce on-site. They also plan to collaborate with like-minded community partners and sell their produce at affordable prices for their neighbors.

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NeighborSpace, a nonprofit urban land trust in Chicago, is collaborating with various partner agencies to implement the Community Growers Program. These include the Chicago Food Policy Action Committee (CFPAC), Community Food Navigator, the Conservation Fund, DePaul Steans Center, Grow Greater Englewood, Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Urban Growers Collective, Windy City Harvest, and The Conservation Fund.

Robin Cline, Assistant Director of NeighborSpace, highlighted the significance of this program in bringing together various community efforts towards food equity. She stated that NeighborSpace and its partners have helped connect Chicago's urban growers with land, water, and infrastructure support through this program. Cline also emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers who will not only provide for their communities but also mentor future farmers in Chicago.

As the lead delegate agency of the Community Growers Program, NeighborSpace has already supported 18 awardees through Round 1. This includes assisting 11 new urban farms with land access and providing critical infrastructure and technical assistance to seven existing farms.

To learn more about the Community Growers Program and its impact on increasing food equity in Chicago's communities, please visit Chicago.gov/CommunityGrowers.

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