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Breaking: Green City Market Announces New Executive Director
- Bob Benenson
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Welcome to Chicago, Letisha "Tish" Steele!
Green City Market has been the pacesetter in Chicago's farmers market community since its founding in 1999, so its announcement today of Letisha "Tish" Steele as its new executive director is big news for local food lovers.
Tish will start her tenure on June, becoming the full-time successor to Mandy Moody, who stepped down after a successful 5-1/2 year tenure to start her own consulting firm. Renee Davis filled in as interim executive director. Tish comes to Chicago from Denver where she served as executive director of Denver Food Rescue and co-chair of the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council.
Here is the full announcement by Green City Market. Local Food Forum welcomes Tish Steele to our thriving Chicago region local food ecosystem.
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Green City Market (GCM) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Letisha “Tish” Steele (they/she) as the nonprofit organization’s new Executive Director, effective June 3, 2025.
A lifelong advocate for food systems equity and experienced nonprofit leader, Tish brings a bold, community-centered vision to GCM’s mission of strengthening the Midwest’s local food system.
Originally from the Appalachian Mountains and currently based in Denver, Colorado, Tish has dedicated her career to removing barriers to food access for underserved and underresourced communities. She most recently served as Executive Director of Denver Food Rescue and was co-chair of the Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council.
With over eight years of experience in nonprofit leadership, food access work, and policy advocacy, Tish is well-equipped to lead Green City Market into a new chapter of impact and growth.
“Tish’s commitment to food equity and community impact aligns perfectly with Green City Market’s mission and community values,” said Green City Market’s Board of Directors Chair Mitchell Weinstein. “We are thrilled to welcome Tish to the GCM community.”
Since 1999, Green City Market has served as a leader in Chicago’s local food system. Currently, GCM operates year-round farmers’ markets across Chicago as part of its Farmer Support pillar program, serving more than 630,000 customers annually, while supporting over 60 local farmers and producers. Through its signature Food Access program, GCM For All, the nonprofit organization matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, ensuring food-insecure families can access fresh, sustainable food while boosting revenue for local farmers.
“I’m honored to join Green City Market at such a pivotal moment of growth and impact,” said Tish. “GCM is not only feeding the community - it’s transforming the food system. I look forward to leading the team and serving the greater Chicago community to advance GCM’s mission to build a stronger, more sustainable food system.”
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Green City Market has three sessions each week into the fall. The Lincoln Park flagship location is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The West Loop satellite location is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.