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Alderman's Fundraiser to Help The Lincoln Park Farmers Market
- Bob Benenson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Market Celebrating 45th Year Faces a Complicated Location Shift
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market is marking its 45th year as a pillar of Chicago's local food community.
Started when farmers markets were few and far between in Chicago, The Lincoln Park Market — not to be confused with Green City Market located about 3/4 mile east — enabled some of the region's top chefs to acquaint themselves with local farmers. Manager Elsa Jacobson took over several years ago when the market was at a low point and has done a remarkable job restoring it to its position as a thriving neighborhood magnet.
The market faces an unusual challenge, though, and local Chicago Alderman Timmy Knudsen — a fan of The Lincoln Park Farmers Market — is helping by launching a fundraising campaign.
The complication involves a shift in the market's location at Lincoln Park High School, located at Armitage Ave. and Orchard St., a block east of Halsted.
In recent years, the market has sprawled across the high school's parking lot on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. But school administrators have made a new agreement to use the lot for paid parking that will finance school programming. As a result, The Lincoln Park Farmers Market is shifting to path in the streetscape next to the high school, which has added a new level of planning and communications with vendors and customers that comes with a financial cost.
This has prompted Alderman Knudsen to start the fundraiser with a pledge to match up to $3,000 in contributions:
Dear Neighbors,Â
For 45 years, The Lincoln Park Farmers Market has been a Saturday morning staple in our neighborhood. Under Elsa Jacobson’s fearless leadership, the market has brought fresh goods to our doorsteps and served as an incubator for small businesses, several of which now have brick-and-mortar storefronts.
After many years in the Lincoln Park High School (LPHS) parking lot, the market is shifting locations to the path between the LPHS buildings (with one-third of the parking lot remaining for market use). This change is being made so that LPHS, which has generously donated the parking lot space for years, is able to raise much-needed programming funds through a new parking agreement. To support the market’s needs through this transition and to celebrate its 45th year, I’m launching a fundraiser. I will match all donations up to $3,000, and you can click here for more information.
If you’ve ever grabbed coffee, produce, flowers, or just enjoyed a Saturday morning at the market, I hope you’ll consider contributing.
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market is one of my favorites and it makes a major impact on our local food community. Please consider making even a small donation... every dollar helps.