Experimental Station

Since 2010, Experimental Station has partnered with the City of Chicago to help make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable for SNAP users through SNAP/Link and Link Match services at city-run farmers markets.

This year, we continue providing services at:
🥕 Division Street City Market
🥕 Daley Plaza City Market

If you’re a SNAP user planning to shop at these two city markets, look for the SNAP/Link Match Accepted sign and stretch your food dollars with doubled benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Looking for more farmers markets near you? Visit to find participating locations.

🥕🍓 Ever wonder what’s in season—and why? 🌿

Slide through to see what’s in season! 🍅 Here are some fun facts about how seasons, soil, and climate shape when your favorite fruits and veggies appear—and how they taste.

Higher temperatures mean more variety becomes available. Weather affects not only when items arrive but also how they taste. Strawberries, for example, are sweetest when hot days are followed by cool nights. Carrots and other root crops taste best in the fall and winter, when their sugars concentrate in their roots.

Our seasons were once predictable, but as the climate changes and temperature extremes become more common, we’re seeing unexpected early crops—zucchini and cherries in mid-June, anyone?—or devastating losses, like peaches wiped out by early frosts in recent years.

When you peel back the layers of seasonality—the factors and conditions that determine your favorite foods’ local availability—you begin to understand how farmers work year-round to bring the freshest produce close to you.

✨ Join us tomorrow to support local farmers at the 61st Street Farmers Market! Saturdays, 9 AM–2 PM, at 6100 S. Blackstone Ave.

See you at the market! 🌿🥕🍓

💛 2025 Wrapped: Link Up Illinois

We’re proud to share the impact of our work in 2025—$2.2M+ in Link Match redeemed statewide, helping tens of thousands of SNAP shoppers access fresh fruits and vegetables each week.

This impact would not be possible without the dedication of farmers market managers and their teams across Illinois, as well as the grocery stores and co-ops who make Link Match work every day on the ground.

Together, we’re strengthening local food systems, supporting farmers and local businesses, and making healthy food more accessible for families across the state. 🌱

Thank you for being part of this work.

👉 Learn more about Link Match and find a participating location at the link in our bio.

Blackstone Bicycle Works’ 2026 Summer Camp for youth Ages: 14–18!

Youth will:
1️⃣ Learn hands-on bike mechanics and repair skills
2️⃣ Participate in group rides, STEAM activities, field trips, and food education
3️⃣ Gain real-world experience while working alongside professional bike mechanics

Participants who complete the program will earn their own bike and receive a $200 stipend, with opportunities for future paid internships, apprenticeships, externships, and scholarships.

📅 Summer Sessions:
Session #1: June 15 – June 26
Session #2: July 6 – July 17
Session #3: July 27 – August 7

🕘 Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Spots are limited to 15 participants per session, with priority given to South Side youth.

Blackstone Bicycle Works (B*W) is a free after-school and summer youth program of Experimental Station that empowers youth from under-resourced communities on Chicago’s South Side through bicycle mechanics, advocacy, cycling, and workforce development. 🚴‍♂️

The 2025 Increasing Food Access Report is now available.

This report marks 18 years of Experimental Station building healthier communities through food access, education, and systems change. This work is only possible thanks to our dedicated team, partners, collaborators, supporters, vendors, educators, volunteers, and community members across Illinois.

Check out the impact of Link Up Illinois and the 61st Street Farmers Market in the full 2025 Increasing Food Access Report at expstation.org/2025foodaccess ❤️

Fun and creative events you can join this May at Experimental Station Events

🎭 Ritual by Julian Otis
Part of Blank Box by HOMEROOM
📅 May 15 | 8–9:30 PM

If you're reading this, you are a part of Ritual. Meditate on the Elements of Life. Earth. Water. Fire. Mineral. We take you on a Journey of Remembering through the lens of Black Inspirational Music as we explore our somatic map of care, singing through the healing elements while creating the conditions to grow new life. Walk away changed and Ready to Grow. $20 suggested donation

🎶 The Portal by ChiBrations
An artist-led night of music, creativity, and connection
📅 May 19 | 7–10 PM

🎼 MonteCristo2020 by Hyde Park Community Players - HPCP
An original musical with book & lyrics by Susan Harris and music by Bill Hohnke
📅 May 29–31 & June 5–7
🕖 Fri & Sat at 7 PM | Sun at 2 PM

🥕 The 61st Street Farmers Market returns outdoors!
Fresh produce, local vendors, chef demos, and community activities
📅 Every Saturday | 9 AM–2 PM

🚲 Open Shop at Blackstone Bicycle Works
Free tools and volunteer support to help you tune up your bike
📅 Saturdays | 10 AM–12 PM

We hope to see you at one of these events, or at the market every week 🤭😍!

Happening at our space this Friday!

Homeroom Chicago is excited to present the newest iteration of BlankBox on May 15 at Experimental Station!

"Ritual" is a multimedia performance by multidisciplinary artist, creative vocalist, and composer Julian Otis, in collaboration with Naydja Bruton, Paige Brown, Gabriel Lochard, Scott Rubin, olula negre, and Kezia Waters.

If you're reading this, you are a part of Ritual. Meditate on the Elements of Life. Earth. Water. Fire. Mineral. We take you on a Journey of Remembering through the lens of Black Inspirational Music as we explore our somatic map of care, singing through the healing elements while creating the conditions to grow new life. Walk away changed and Ready to Grow.

Friday, May 15, 2026
8pm doors, 8:30pm performance
$20 suggested donation
Experimental Station, 6100 S Blackstone Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

See you there Chicago!

Blackstone Bicycle Works (B*W) is seeking a Temporary Full-Time Summer Camp Youth Program Instructor for a 10-week position running from June 8 to August 14, 2026.

Working Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the instructor will work closely with B*W Program Managers to support and lead summer camp sessions for youth ages 14–18.

Responsibilities include
- mentoring participants,
- assisting with technical bicycle instruction, and
- helping manage daily operations of the “Wrench & Ride” curriculum.

The first week of employment is dedicated to training.

See details at www.expstation.org/jobs or link in bio.

Movie Night: Saving Face
This Thursday, May 7, 7–10 PM | 6100 S. Blackstone Ave

Directed by Alice Wu, Saving Face is a romantic comedy-drama that blends love, family pressure, and cultural expectations within the Chinese American community.

Hosted in collaboration with Common Threads, a film series centering q***r POC stories, this movie night is part of Ground Rules—our community series focused on connection, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue.

This series is supported by the Field Foundation of Illinois.

✨ Refreshments will be provided! | 🎟 Free & open to all

Introducing our musician for FAB Night!

We’re excited to share that will be performing at this year’s fundraiser—bringing powerful energy.

Join us for Zion’s performance alongside an evening of conversation with leaders in food justice, bicycle advocacy, and the arts—hosted by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jamie Kalven—and enjoy a curated three-course meal by award-winning chef Constance Simms-Kincaid.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station

🎟️ Tickets available now: expstation.org/fabnight

This fundraiser supports Experimental Station’s work to advance food access, youth opportunities, and arts and community enrichment through the 61st Street Farmers Market, Link Up Illinois, Blackstone Bicycle Works, cultural events, and independent journalism.k

🚲✨ Biking is at the heart of Experimental Station.

Through Bicycle Works , we’ve spent 20 years building a culture of biking on the South Side—empowering youth with skills, confidence, and access, while advocating for safer, more connected streets across our city.

At FAB Night, we’re bringing those voices into conversation:

🚲 Dave Simmons — Executive Director, Ride Illinois
🚲 Danielle McKinnie — Southside Critical Mass and Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago

Together, they’ll share what it takes to build safer infrastructure, stronger bike communities, and a more accessible future for cycling in Chicago.

Join us for an evening where biking, advocacy, and community come together.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station

🎟️ Tickets available now: expstation.org/fabnight

Come support the movement and the people powering it 🚲💛

🎨✨ Art is at the heart of Experimental Station.

As an arts and cultural resource center, we’ve spent years creating space for artists, thinkers, and organizers to explore ideas, share work, and build community—from residencies and exhibitions to ongoing cultural programming.

We’re proud to support and incubate community-driven work, including architecture practice and the journalism of Invisible Institute —both rooted in Chicago and committed to shaping more just and connected communities.

At FAB Night, we’re bringing these voices into conversation:

✨ Monica Chadha — Founder & Principal Architect, Civic Projects
✨ Lional “Brother El” Freeman — Social Practice Artist, Composer, Founder of The Beat Bank

Join us for an evening where art, storytelling, and community come together.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station

🎟️ Tickets available now — link in bio or expstation.org/fabnight

Come experience the creative voices that make this work possible.

Yes—this is our last indoor market of the season!
Join us this Saturday, April 11, from 9am–2pm to stock up, connect, and celebrate with your favorite vendors before we head outdoors 🌿

✨ Attending vendors:
•
•
• Bike a Bee
•
• Ellis Family Farm
•
• Four Seasons Farm
• Gorman Farm Fresh Produce
•
• Joe's Blues of Moss Funnel Farms
•
• LFK
•
• .table
• Mint Creek Farm
• .bakery
• Quarter Mile Sauce Runnin Hot Jdkkbk INC.
•
• Stamper Cheese Company
•
•
•
• Yoberri Gourmet
•

🎨 10am–1pm — Inventory of Lost Books
An installation by Amanda Love & Christophe Preissing
Nearly 4,000 books have been banned in U.S. school districts since 2024—often silencing marginalized voices. Stop by to read banned titles and share your voice as part of this powerful, community-driven installation.

🍑 10:30am — Chef Demo
with Angela Eberts & Trudy Cools
Watch them prepare an easy, seasonal fruit cobbler

🚲 10am–12pm — Blackstone Bicycle Works Open Shop
Stop by the shop on Blackstone Ave. to work on your bike—B*W team will be there to help

Come through, show your love, and don’t miss this final indoor day 💛
We’ll be back outdoors starting May 16 🌱

Game Night is next Thursday, April 16! 🎲
Join us for an evening of games, table tennis, and great conversation. Come play, connect, and unwind with us!

🎟 Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.

About Ground Rules

Ground Rules is Experimental Station’s year-long social gathering series designed to promote civility, understanding, and meaningful engagement through shared experiences—from conversations to collaborative play.

Supported by the Field Foundation of Illinois.

🙌👏🔥

🎟️ FAB Night is coming—don’t miss it!

FAB Night brings together leaders in food justice, bicycle advocacy, and the arts for an evening of conversation, connection, and community. Join us for this special night celebrating the intersections of food, art, and bikes—and the people shaping these movements across Chicago.

✨ Meet our incredible host and speakers:
• Jamie Kalven — Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist & founder of Invisible Institute
(Host)
• Greg Wade — James Beard–winning baker,
• Lional “Brother El” Freeman — Composer, multidisciplinary creative & DJ
• Dave Simmons — Executive Director,
• Ben Jaffe — Co-owner of Earthlore Farm and Chapter Coordinator, Northern Illinois Young Farmers Coalition
• Danielle McKinnie — & Southside Critical Mass

Enjoy a curated three-course meal by award-winning chef Constance Simms-Kincaid, and hear stories and insights from leaders advancing food justice, biking, and culture in our city.

Why attend?
Your support helps advance food access, youth opportunities, and arts and community enrichment through the 61st Street Farmers Market, Link Up Illinois, Blackstone Bicycle Works, cultural events, and independent journalism.

📅 April 30 | 6–9 PM
📍 Experimental Station
🎟️ Tickets available now — link in bio.
www.expstation.org/fabnight

We were happy to welcome a group of students from Wheaton College in Chicago to our space this week and share our programs with them.

Shout out to Wheaton for their Urban Studies program, which connects students with organizations across the nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors working toward the public good and the flourishing of communities.

Based in Woodlawn, our work is rooted in serving South Side communities. We’re always excited to share how community-driven initiatives—from food access to youth programs and the arts—are helping build a more connected and thriving neighborhood.

Thank you for spending time with us and for your curiosity and engagement! 🌱🚲

🎬✨ Movie Night at Experimental Station: The Watermelon Woman—a groundbreaking film that blends romance, humor, and film history to explore Black le***an identity and the stories often left out of the archive.

Directed by Cheryl Dunye, the film follows a young filmmaker uncovering the life of a forgotten Black actress—while navigating her own relationships and creative path.

Join us for the movie and stay after for a conversation and community connection.
Free and refreshments provided.

📅 This Thursday, Mar 19 | 7–10PM
📍 Experimental Station
🎟 Free & open to all

For 20 years, Blackstone Bicycle Works has been more than a bike workshop — it’s been a space where young people build confidence, leadership, and real-world skills on two wheels.

But did you know our story goes back even further?
Long before it was Blackstone Bicycle Works, the Resource Center — Chicago’s very first recycling center — operated a bike shop in this same space during the 1990s. After a fire, the Resource Center became part of Experimental Station, and shortly after, Blackstone Bicycle Works was (re)born.

From our early days as a retail shop to the youth-focused program we are today, B*W has empowered generations of South Side youth through hands-on learning and leadership development.

Celebrate 20 years with us by donate $20 a month this year! Your monthly support empowers more youth, builds safer streets, and keeps our community riding strong on Chicago’s South Side.

www.experimentalstation.org/bbw-20years

Don’t Need a Reason 🎶

An Artists Jam/Expo by returns to Experimental Station on March 5, 7–10PM.

Join us for Soul. Hip-hop. R&B, and honest conversation about what it takes to keep creating with integrity and confidence.

✨ DJ sets
🎶 Live band
🎤 Artist performances
💬 Honest dialogue

Featuring: • TT & Luca • • Carlon Rosales • •

Come experience music without apology—and the stories behind it.

🎟 Free & open to the public
🥤 Refreshments provided

ArtistsJam

The 2026 Link Match grant is open! Apply by March 1st to be included in promotional materials, however we accept applications at any time of the year.

With Link Match, SNAP shoppers receive $1 for fresh fruits and vegetables with every $1 they spend. That's twice as much food sold by you / your vendors and twice the healthy foods going into your community. This application is open to farmers markets, farm stands, mobile markets, CSAs and delivery services with FNS authorization. For assistance obtaining FNS, visit marketlink.org. They are the experts at helping markets obtain FNS authorization and can get you free equipment and software for 1 year.

Beyond the grant, our team provides the fundamental tools you need including: training, data organization, promotional materials and marketing assistance to help you bring Link Match to your community.

Contact us at [email protected] with any questions!