Chicago Farmers Markets Face Rising Costs as Season Begins

Vendors at Green City Market grapple with federal funding cuts and high gas prices, but find support from loyal customers

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:22pm

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As the farmers market season kicks off in Chicago, vendors at the popular Green City Market in Lincoln Park are facing financial challenges due to rising costs, including high gas prices and federal funding cuts. Despite the rainy weather, customers showed up in force to support the market and its 65 vendors, some of whom are new this year. Vendors expressed gratitude for the community's support, which they say is crucial as they navigate these economic pressures.

Why it matters

Farmers markets play a vital role in connecting local producers with consumers and supporting small businesses. The challenges faced by vendors at Green City Market reflect broader economic pressures impacting the agricultural and food industries, including the impact of federal policy changes. The ability of these markets to thrive is important for maintaining access to fresh, locally-sourced food and supporting the livelihoods of small farmers and food producers.

The details

The opening day of the Green City Market in Lincoln Park saw strong turnout from loyal customers, including some well-known chefs, who braved the rainy weather to purchase items like ramps, eggs, apples, and baked goods. However, vendors are grappling with rising costs, including a 55% increase in gas prices and the loss of $1 billion in federal funding for programs that enabled schools and food banks to purchase from local farmers. Some vendors, like Sandy Eich of Kankakee Valley Homestead, had to go into debt after losing a major contract. Other new vendors, like Jonathan Correa of La Cosecha Tortilla Co., have had to raise prices to offset higher gas and packaging costs. Despite these challenges, vendors say the support from the Chicago community has been crucial, with customers actively seeking out their products at the market.

  • The Green City Market in Lincoln Park opened for the 2026 season on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The market will remain open through November 2026.
  • The nonprofit plans to open a year-round farmers market in a North Center building at 2457 W. Montrose Ave. later in 2026.

The players

Green City Market

A nonprofit organization that operates multiple farmers markets in Chicago, including the popular Lincoln Park location. The market features 65 vendors, including some new sellers this year.

Sandy Eich

Owner of Kankakee Valley Homestead, an Indiana farm that lost a $90,000 contract to provide fresh produce to local schools when the USDA canceled $1 billion in related programs.

Jonathan Correa

Owner of La Cosecha Tortilla Co., a new vendor at the Green City Market who has had to raise prices to offset higher gas and packaging costs.

Marcial Kajer

Owner of Kajers Greens, a vendor who says he pays $2 more per gallon to fill up in Indiana, where his farm is based.

Seth Bradley

Co-owner of Nude Dude Food, a private chef and corporate catering company that joined the Green City Market this year to sell sourdough pizza directly to customers.

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What they’re saying

“A big way that people can help is to spend their money at the farmers market. It goes directly into the pockets of our farmers and our vendors who are at the front lines.”

— Grace Hauser, Market and vendor relations manager at Green City Market

“It was a loss to us as a small family. It was a loss to all the kids and the families in the school system that are now getting frozen stuff.”

— Sandy Eich, Owner of Kankakee Valley Homestead

“We've had it raise our prices a little bit to kind of help cover some of those costs. I really try to be as cost-effective with my products as possible. We're an artisan product, but I want tortillas to be like bread to people. It's something that people eat every single day.”

— Jonathan Correa, Owner of La Cosecha Tortilla Company

“The customers here really respect farmers and show a lot of gratitude. I was doing six markets a week prior to coming to Green City just to make ends meet. They run it so well that it took a lot of stress off my shoulders.”

— Marcial Kajer, Owner of Kajers Greens

“We've actually sold more than I thought we would considering the rain. The Chicago food community is very supportive.”

— Seth Bradley, Co-owner of Nude Dude Food

What’s next

The Green City Market will continue operating on Saturdays through November 2026, and will also open a new Wednesday market starting in May 2026. The nonprofit plans to open a year-round farmers market in a North Center building later this year, providing additional opportunities for vendors and customers.

The takeaway

The challenges faced by vendors at the Green City Market highlight the broader economic pressures impacting the agricultural and food industries, including the effects of federal policy changes and rising costs. However, the strong community support and engagement demonstrated by loyal Chicago customers shows the vital role these local markets play in connecting consumers with small producers and maintaining access to fresh, locally-sourced food.