The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the food inequality issues experienced by many in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Because of this, the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has created the Community Growers Program.

Through this program, BACP and partner agency NeighborSpace expect to reduce the barriers to urban agriculture by supporting urban growers with access to land, resources to build long-term sites, and technical support. This program will increase equitable community-access to healthy foods by creating new food access points in neighborhoods experiencing food insecurity.

As the lead delegate agency of the Community Growers Program, NeighborSpace will provide grants and ongoing technical assistance to growers, understand the specific needs of each project site, and provide the appropriate guidance. NeighborSpace will be responsible for managing the development of multiple urban agriculture sites. By providing financial and technical assistance to urban growers, NeighborSpace can best support existing urban agricultural sites and build urban gardens and farms on vacant lots. The following partner agencies will be collaborating NeighborSpace to make this program happen: Chicago Food Policy Action Committee (CFPAC), Community Food Navigator, DePaul Steans Center, Grow Greater Englewood, Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Urban Growers Collective, and Windy City Harvest.

How to Participate:
Interested urban growers can apply for assistance through the Community Growers Program.

 
Questions:
Questions may be emailed to: communitygrowers@neighbor-space.org