Even before our first market day last year, the Andersonville Farmers Market has always been a grassroots effort. Without the support of neighborhood businesses, block clubs, local elected officials, and individual community residents, this huge undertaking would not have been possible.
Today, we’re asking for your support again. We want to be able to offer the Link program at the Market so that lower-income community members on cash assistance or SNAP (food stamps) can buy local produce and other food goods at the Market. Because of changes in the economy that we’re all feeling, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce doesn’t have the budget to pay for the start-up costs associated with the program – the most expensive of which is buying a wireless terminal to process the Link transactions.
That’s where you can help! We’re trying to raise $500 to cover part of the start-up costs (which will total approx. $1,000). If we can raise half of the total amount, we’ll be able to afford to start the Link program this year, as well as sustain the program for the future.
Every little bit helps – there is no minimum donation amount! To support this effort, check out our campaign on The Point. You can also join using the widget at embedded in this post. The Point makes it easy and secure to give a donation – and your card is only charged if we meet our goal!
Thank you for helping us make sustainable, locally-grown goods accessible for all!
Scoping out the Hillside Orchards display at the Andersonville Farmers Market.
The staff is finding that the Andersonville Farmers Market is quickly becoming the highlight of our week. We love scoping out all of the fresh produce and other yummy treats, talking with the farmers, and watching our community gather to celebrate the bounty of summer. Since it is 6 days until we get to go to the market again, we wanted to share some videos that Jason took at last night’s market to re-live the good times and introduce you to some of the farmers and their goods that make this market possible.
I spent Memorial Day weekend in Denver at the annual conference of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). BALLE is a network of networks, a national organization of local business associations (like chambers) that share a vision of an economy led by small, local businesses, based on environmental sustainability and economic justice. If you ever wondered what role Andersonville businesses have in saving the planet, read on! Read the rest of this entry »
The story behind Andersonville’s sidewalk sweeping, flowers, snow plowing, and much more.
In 2002, the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) created the Andersonville Special Service Area #22 (SSA) to fund programs for the entire Clark Street commercial district. An SSA adds a special tax onto the property tax bills of commercial property owners (and through their rents, the local business owners) to pay for general upkeep of an area. Andersonville’s SSA is administered by ACC, with some program assistance from Andersonville Development Corporation (ADC). Andersonville’s SSA was the 22nd created in Chicago.
The Andersonville SSA service area is Clark Street and the side streets up to the alleys from Ainslie on the south to Victoria on the north.
SSA funds are entirely different from those of Tax Increment Financing, a.k.a., TIF. TIFs take the increased property taxes that accrue as property values rise and divert them into a special fund for use in development of a certain area.In an SSA district, property owners opt to tax themselves an additional percentage in order to have a pool of money to provide for general upkeep of the district. The SSA has its own board of directors, called a commission, made up of commercial property owners and business owners in the area. The SSA commissioners are nominated by those who pay the SSA tax — the commercial property owners — and given final approval by the Mayor. Read the rest of this entry »
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) was founded on October 22, 1921 as the “Uptown Chicago Clark Street Business Men’s Association.”In 1936, the name was changed to the “Uptown Chicago Clark Street Business Association” (one hopes, upon the request of some annoyed business women!).In 1964, the name was changed to the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, to reflect the community’s dedication to its Swedish roots.
ACC is the membership association of businesses in and around Andersonville. Members pay yearly dues to participate in ACC programs. ACC is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization — an association. From the beginning through today, ACC has focused on supporting the locally owned, independent businesses that make Andersonville unique.
Even before our first market day last year, the Andersonville Farmers Market has always been a grassroots effort. Without the support of neighborhood businesses, block clubs, local elected officials, and individual community residents, this huge undertaking would not have been possible.
