Historically, especially for Black people, food has been a way for their communities to connect. With the lack of spaces for residents to come together for nourishment and community, new city initiatives to generate food businesses were started. The Hatchery, a food business incubator in the Garfield Park community, helped food businesses thrive through the pandemic. 

Alongside the possibilities of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Invest South/West Initiative, now is the time to create and sustain businesses in historically disinvested areas. Here are some examples of those underway: The Austin Community Food Co-op, Forty Acres Fresh Market (Austin), the Community Grocer Initiative (West Garfield Park), Healthy Lifestyle Hub (Auburn Gresham) and Go Green on Racine (Englewood). 

Add to that the Chicago City Council’s recent passage of an ordinance to support the business activities of urban agriculture, which allows community residents to grow and harvest their own food. This ordinance allows community gardens and urban farms to apply for and receive a license to sell whole, uncut and unprocessed produce directly to community residents, restaurants, food stores and wholesalers from an on-site produce stand. 

Gaps still exist for creating sustainable food businesses in Black communities, but we are seeing the possibility of what a more food-secure community can and should look like when plentiful, healthy food options are available nearby.